Last modified: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:42 AM EDT Tom Roache State rep hopeful vows to put in full-time effort BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF MEDFIELD - Political newcomer Thomas Roache formally launched his campaign for state representative Tuesday by pledging to be a full-time legislator if elected. Roache is running against incumbent Rep. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, who owns and operates a funeral home. Roache said voters deserve the full attention of their representative. He said the state might have avoided some of the trouble it finds itself in now if legislators had been devoting all their time to their job. Issues like promoting alternative energy sources should have been addressed years ago, he said, but politicians were not paying attention. A political independent, Roache said it is fine for lawmakers like Ross to get business experience before getting elected, "but once you are elected, that is your job." There is no Democrat running in the 9th Norfolk District that includes Wrentham, Plainville, Norfolk, and Medfield, so Roache will oppose Ross in the November election. Roache has promised to be a different kind of politician, and that was obvious from his announcement event. Rather than kicking off his candidacy by making a speech in front of a government building like many politicians do, he held a get-together in an art gallery overlooking downtown Medfield. He promises not to accept donations from special interests and lobbyists. "With this campaign, I have stood up and said, 'enough is enough.' I've refused all special interest money because it is time to restore governance by the people," he said. Roach is 28, and about half of the 100 supporters in attendance were young people. On his resume, Roache lists accomplishments like being president of the senior class and football captain when he attended Medfield High School. His professional experience includes working for an anti-poverty agency in Texas and a refugee agency in Beirut, Lebanon. He has a master's degree in human values and ethics from the University of London. Roache said he would like to tackle issues like the high cost of housing, health care and energy to make Massachusetts more affordable. Too many young people leave the state after college because they cannot afford to live here, he said. A first-time candidate, Roache also promised to hold regular night meetings for constituents, rather than afternoon office hours that working people cannot attend.