LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Republican candidate for the 1st Berkshire House seat Christine Canning has a lot of respect for those running on the other ticket.

 

"Each has a different angle and a different strength," Canning said Monday of the four announced Democrats in the race to fill the unexpired term of the late Rep. Gailanne Cariddi, D-North Adams. "Unfortunately, you can't combine all four of those people into one.

 

"If I was ever put in that position, I'd hire any one of them who wanted to work for me."

 

Canning isn't kidding.

 

Describing herself as the "new face of the Republican Party," the Lanesborough resident, educator and entrepreneur said she is willing to work with anyone, regardless of political affiliation, to get the job done for Northern Berkshire County.

 

"I really think my heart and my intention is to truly help the county, and I have a reputation of getting the job done, calling it like it is and being as transparent as can be," Canning said.

 

To date, she is the only declared Republican in the 1st Berkshire special election. The four Democrats — John Barrett III, Lisa Blackmer, Stephanie Bosley and Kevin Towle — will square off in an Oct. 10 primary ahead of the Nov. 7 general election, where one will face the Republican candidate.

 

Canning, who ran an unsuccessful bid for the state Senate last November, said Monday she plans to run on the same platform: a 15-point plan that includes an emphasis on smaller government and on job creation.

 

"I plan on using almost the same exact strategy," she said. "At the time, I was going to use it for 52 different towns, but the same thing could be implemented in North County to bring us the money."

 

Specifically, Canning wants to see North County towns get certified for federal programs like the Small Business Administration's Historically Underutilized Business Zones and Women-Owned Small Business Program.

 

"We have a lot of eligible people, but nobody does the paperwork," Canning said. "I want to go to each small business and get them on the paperwork trail.

 

"How much easier is it because you're focusing on these towns. It will mean working with local governments, looking at their current needs and seeing what are their future needs. The needs of Williamstown are different than the needs of Adams. Everyone has a different perspective, but everyone has one need that's the same. They need money. We have to have someone who is going to make a plan and execute that plan."

 

While professing a belief in "alternatives to higher taxes," Canning said there are opportunities for federal and state grants that are being missed at the local level here in Berkshire County.

 

"I want to really start working on getting grant money in here for the arts and schools and using my expertise so we can start generating money for towns. That would help town administrators and school districts."

 

She also pledged to work as a state representative to combat "nepotism and corruption" that she said afflicts local governments and school districts.

 

And she sounds very much the image of a national Republican Party candidate when it comes to two issues: Second Amendment rights and the size of government.

 

Canning said she has a concealed carry permit to carry a firearm that she does not currently use, but she wants to make sure that residents throughout the commonwealth are not hampered by what she calls "archaic" gun control laws.

 

Those are not the only restrictions on personal freedom that Canning would work to curtail.

 

"Personally, I think this is a very over-regulated state, and a lot of times, these unfunded mandates come about so people can justify their jobs at the extent of the taxpayer," Canning said.

 

That said, her rhetoric adheres more to the Libertarian traditions of the GOP than does the rhetoric of many in the national party. She supported last fall's statewide referendum to legalize recreational marijuana, and she is a staunch advocate of LGBTQ rights.

 

"I don't believe the government can be in bed with you," she said on Monday. "You're in a free country. You're free to live your life. It's not my business what you do."

 

Not surprisingly given her professional background, the former teacher and head of educational consultant New England Global Network has ideas about how to improve education in the 21st century.

 

One recommendation that will improve the quality of education and save districts money: Use the existing budget for professional development to cross train teachers, getting existing teachers qualified in special education.

 

"You'd be saving costs on specialists and getting better teachers," Canning said.

 

She also would encourage schools to increase opportunities that allow different children to learn in different ways.

 

"[Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School] is showing the way," she said. "They had the No. 1 MCAS scores a year ago. Why can't we look at teaching in a different way. There's so much that could be done, and the problem is [traditional public schools] haven't had new ideas and new blood in their thinking it out.

 

"How many kids are told what they can't do before they have the opportunity to try? That's why I like alternative programs. Everyone has something to contribute."

 

Canning paints herself as a pragmatist, and she is practical enough to understand the uphill battle she faces as a Republican running in deeply blue Northern Berkshire County.

 

She points out that as a member of the minority party on Beacon Hill, she'd have access to any committees she wanted and would, therefore, be a more effective advocate for the district. And she notes that she has strong ties to all the communities in the district.

 

But she also tells the story of a woman who said she'd sign Canning's nomination papers but would never vote for her "because I'm a Republican."

 

"That made me sad, and not because of what it meant for me," Canning said. "The problem is you're assuming all the fingers on your hand are the same, and, trust me, your thumb and middle finger have very different meanings. I'm not the same as everyone in my party.

 

"I'm an academic. I have five degrees. Academia is the free exchange of ideas. The minute you think you can only be one way, you have boxed yourself in. … If people are voting based on political party, they get what they get. At this point, Berkshire County has to vote for someone who is going to get in there and get the job done."