U.S. rep. candidate says physics background will help bid

METHUEN — From the Army to a Ph.D. in physics to … politics?

Timothy Imholt’s history might vary from the lawyers in Washington, D.C., but the Republican candidate says he has what it takes to be the next U.S. representative in the 3rd Congressional District. Democratic U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas has held the seat since 2007, when it was the 5th District.

Imholt, who kicked off his 2014 campaign last week, said his problem-solving tools as an engineer would help fix several problems on Capitol Hill.

“I have four children, and we’re leaving behind a pile of debt for them unless we get a handle on it today,” said Imholt, of Methuen. “I’m disturbed by the path our country is on, and I want to fix that.