In addition to criticizing government fiscal policies, both Uminski and May see abortion as a key issue in the campaign. Both say they are pro-choice. Uminski claims Toomey "has yet to make a statement."
"We don't want to lose a pro-choice seat in the House," says Uminski. According to Uminski, Toomey voted down a resolution to support Women's March for Women's Lives in Washington.
Toomey did not return numerous phone calls.
Uminski claims that white Toomey's positions on local issues may be clear, his opinions about state-wide issues aren't.
"I'd love to see six debates," she says, in addition to the one already planned for June 19.
Libertarian Meyer holds similar opinions on questions of rent control, abortion and fiscal policy, but takes on a different approach to getting her message across to voters.
"I'm probably my own enemy as far it comes to getting votes," she says.
She says she's counting on word of mouth about her candidacy, rather than "putting my name on bumper stickers and emery boards."
"The money part of campaign revotes me. It's far more important to have sincerity--to have people know me rather than like my smile," Meyer said.
Despite the confidence she has in her platform, Meyer acknowledges the unlikelihood of a victory and admits that her chances of winning are next to none.
"I talked to the secretary at Vellucci's office, who happened to be Karen Uminski. It was tough to get a straight answer. She seemed to think I could threaten her campaign, which shocked me," Meyer said.
Apart from her duties as chair of the Boston-area Libertarian committee, Meyer plays the glass harmonica in Harvard Square. It is clear, however, that all the candidates consider Toomey the frontrunner and are looking for opportunities to challenge him.
Both May and Uminski question Toomey's promise that he will remain a Cambridge City Councillor if elected to the State House.
""How do you do that?" says May. "The job is more than, 'Here's my vote, here's your vote, let's go home.'"
He adds that he thinks Toomey will not be able to handle the demands of a House seat in addition to the problems he will have to deal with as a councillor.
"Cambridge has problems. City Councillor is more than a part-time job. Also, Somerville has more than 50 percent of the vote."
Vellucci's district includes all of East Cambridge and part of eastern Somerville. Somerville, according to May, holds 67 percent of the vote.
Uminski says, "I have seen Peter work at this job 24 hours a day, seven days a week." Though the pay "isn't the greatest," the job requires a full-time commitment.