Former USDA Administrator to Run for Lt. Gov.

Former United States Department of Agriculture administrator James Arena-DeRosa will formally announce his campaign for Lieutenant Governor on Friday.

Arena-DeRosa, a Democrat, will formally announce his campaign at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7 at the Red Cross Food Pantry in Roxbury, where he will also help donate food, according to Thursday's announcement.

"As the President and the country contemplate the implications of the Farm Bill, I welcome the opportunity toe discuss how critical farming, nutrition and food security are to our economy," the candidate said in a statement. "Massachusetts deserves to have someone in the corner office who understands the correlation between food programs and a strong economy. Hungry children can't learn even in the best schools, local farmers and fisherman are critical to our food supply and seniors should never have to choose between medicine and a meal. As Lt. Governor, I will put my leadership and management experience to use, solving these problems."

Arena-DeRosa, a Holliston resident, previously served as President Obama's Northeast Regional Administrator for the USDA, for which he focused on food policy issues in New England, managing a $12-billion budget that covered 15 different programs.

Prior to that role, Arena-DeRosa served as the New England director for the Peace Corps.for which he directed regional volunteer recruitment and candidate nomination, among other duties.

Having also served as the Director of Public Advocacy at Oxfam America from 1987-1998, Arena-DeRosa conceptualized and led the advocacy program, working with local officials and community-based organizations, as well as government officials and international non-governmental organizations from more than four countries in Africa, Asia, Latin American and in the Caribbean, helping them advocate before policymakers.