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SEEKONK - The race to unseat State Rep. Steve D'Amico has another candidate.

Republican Steven Howitt officially launched his campaign against D'Amico, D-Seekonk, on Saturday.

Howitt, a former town selectman, was surrounded by friends and supporters at an industrial warehouse. He vowed to restore jobs to a district which has been especially hard-hit by a faltering economy.

Howitt pledged to support "pro-growth strategies in our communities," and would encourage new industries to relocate to Southeastern Massachusetts.

Howitt also backs casino gambling in the state, something D'Amico opposes. Taxes are another priority for Howitt, who has signed a pledge with Citizens for Limited Taxation never to raise them. Howitt promised to support the repeal of the 25 percent increase in the state's sales tax, in addition to repealing the higher taxes for cigarettes and alcohol.

Howitt took sharp aim at D'Amico for bringing "wasteful spending" and "job destruction" to the citizens of the district.

"It's time to end the fiscal hardship that has been brought to Norton, Rehoboth, Swansea, and Seekonk," Howitt said.

Howitt believes voters are ready for change.

"They want jobs and to see the economy get better," said Howitt, who believes D'Amico's support for tax increases has cost the region jobs.

Howitt's campaign got a boost from former state Rep. Philip Travis, a Rehoboth Democrat who has crossed party lines to endorse Howitt for state representative.

Howitt is running in the Republican primary against David Saad, a former two-term member of the town's planning board. Saad announced his candidacy last month.

The winner will square off against D'Amico, who won the seat when Travis retired three years ago.

Howitt said he was "humbled by ( Travis') vote of confidence in me."

Howitt held his announcement speech at M and M Precision Machines for a reason, he said. M and M is a new business with a handful of employees. Howitt built the building himself. "This is what it's all about," Howitt said of his campaign. "Creating jobs."