King says he runs to aid working people.

• Author: Knothe, Alli
• Position: Local

Byline: Alli Knothe

Khrystian King

5Age: 42

5Address: 9 Victoria Ave.

5 Education: St. Peter-Marian Junior/Senior High School, Wheaton College, Simmons College

5Occupation: Social worker, Department of Children and Families

5Family: Unmarried, two daughters, ages 20 and 8

Editor's note:The second in a series profiling the candidates for state representative in the 16th Worcester District.

Asked if he had ever thought he would be a politician, Khrystian King bristled in his chair.

"Call me a representative,'' he said.

Mr. King is 42 years old, an elected representative of the state's union for human service workers, a social worker and a Quinsigamond Village homeowner.

He is one of five men vying for the Democratic nomination in the race against Republican Carol Claros to fill John P. Fresolo's seat in the House of Representatives for the 16th Worcester District. The primary will be held Aug. 13, with the election Sept. 10.

Mr. King said he differs from the other candidates through his experiences as a social worker, a union leader and union member.

"I'm quite confident in saying that there hasn't been a candidate that is as well rounded in this position for a very long time,'' he said.

Mr. King said that if elected, he would support bills that would invest more money in schools and infrastructure.

"The No. 1 overall priority is to make sure our education is funded,'' he said. An important part of that is also making sure funding continues for art and music education, he said.

Mr. King also wants to increase funding for the Enhanced Community Options Program for seniors, which supports seniors living independently in their homes. The program has been cut more than 11 percent since 2002. He also said the Meals on Wheels program "needs to be fully funded.''

Mr. King noted that his father has been hospitalized at the Kindred Hospital Park View in Rochdale since February. He said it is important to improve access for seniors to affordable medication and health care.

Mr. King said he supports gay marriage, and would back legislation to encourage first-time home buyers though agencies and programs that are already in place to help them.

"We're Democrats. There's a lot of issues we hold in common,'' he said. "Issues with seniors are a priority ... public safety. I'm aligning myself with issues that will shape the lives of children, families and working people.''

In the wake of George Zimmerman's acquittal in the shooting death of black Florida...