OSTON -- Although the state GOP does not appear to have marshaled its troops to challenge Democratic lawmakers to the extent it did two years ago, at least five Republicans have taken steps to try to unseat MetroWest incumbents in the November elections.

GOP hopefuls have taken out nomination papers to launch campaigns against state Reps. Thomas Sannicandro, D-Ashland, and Peter Koutoujian, D-Waltham; and state Sens. Edward Augustus, D-Worcester, Marian Walsh, D-West Roxbury, and James Timilty, D-Walpole, according to the secretary of state's office.

Ashland Republican Thomas Haskins said he had returned his nomination papers and is ready to start his bid to unseat freshman representative Sannicandro.

"We have a one-party system and they're abusing the power," said Haskins, who has been a mortgage banker and real estate broker. His concerns include same-sex marriage, the Legislature not acting on the will of voters, taxes and big government.

Haskins said it appears Sannicandro is "just doing whatever the Democratic leadership does." Sannicandro countered he knows how to best serve the district, and pointed out he has lived in it most of his life and has two years on Beacon Hill on his resume.

Waltham Republican Dara Pourghasemi has taken out papers to run against five-term lawmaker Koutoujian after launching an unsuccessful write-in campaign against Koutoujian two years ago. Pourghasemi could not be reached for comment.

Augustus, a freshman senator, faces a possible challenge from Worcester Republican Richard Peters, who took out nomination papers but could not be reached for comment.

This is cache, read story here