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Category Archives: Massachusetts House of Representatives

Briefings: In 2nd Hampden, A Werder in Edgewise…

The Pioneer Valley’s first legislative contest formally began today with a Republican announcing her bid for a Democrat-held seat. Allison Werder, the former President of Masslive, launched her campaign for the 2nd Hampden House District Thursday. The move comes several weeks after opening a campaign

The 413 in Beacon Hill’s Committee Pecking Order…

Leadership in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate released their committee assignments for the session that began last month. With thousands of bills to consider, committees can begin parse now that they have leaders and membership. The Western Massachusetts delegation received some plum assignments.

Analysis: Williams’s Two Hats May Mean Many Quandaries…

SPRINGFIELD—To the surprise of few, State Representative Bud Williams announced Monday he would not relinquish his City Council seat after being sworn into the 190th General Court last Wednesday. Resigning mid-way through his eleventh term would have deeded it to 2015 rival, Jesse Lederman. Claiming

Millennials A-Masssing: A Generation Marches on Massachusetts…

UPDATED 2/1/2017 3:15PM: For a correction. Senator Joseph Boncore, Democrat of Winthrop, is also a Millennial was overlooked in prior versions of this post. BOSTON—Both chambers of the Massachusetts Legislature were sworn in Wednesday with the usual ceremony (and free lunch). Governor Charlie Baker did

Something Budding from Springfield’s Fallow Political Soil?…

More than a hundred years later, Springfield City Hall remains a solid piece of construction. Even as maintenance of the larger Municipal Group to which it belongs has waxed and waned, the strong stone construction remains a tribute to the city’s brighter past. However, 36 Court

Cocchi Charges to Victory on Busy Primary Day in the Valley…

LUDLOW—After a rollicking primary, Assistant Superintendent Nicholas Cocchi seized the Democratic nomination for Hampden County Sheriff, setting him on a path to succeed, Michael Ashe, the nationally recognized 42-year incumbent. Cocchi triumphed over Springfield City Councilor Thomas Ashe and Governor’s Councilor Michael Albano in a

Peering into the 11th Hampden Primary Race…

By the time the Massachusetts legislature is sworn in next January, three of Springfield’s members of the House of Representatives shall have been serving for less than three years. Two new reps from the city were elected two years ago and in January a third

Briefings: Swan Senior Set to Sail into the Sunset?…

On Tuesday, weeks of speculation about the race for the 11th Hampden House seat may come to an end. State Representative Benjamin Swan, the incumbent, has scheduled a press conference at his State Street office in Mason Square to make an undisclosed announcement. As Swan’s

Briefings: Her Story in the Legislature Is Ending…

In a Facebook post this afternoon, Amherst Representative Ellen Story confirmed her retirement from the Massachusetts House of Representatives after 24 years. Story, a native Texan, took the seat over from current Senate President Stanley Rosenberg when he was elected to former US Congressman John