UPDATED
SPRINGFIELD—There are still no legislative retirements among state lawmakers here, but the number of contests has only grown. Johnnie Ray McKnight, a former municipal candidate, has pulled papers for the 11th Hampden District. That puts him on track to challenge four-term state rep Bud Williams.
Courting 36 Court Street is a series of quick interviews with Springfield’s at-large candidates. **All interviews are edited and condensed for length.** Two years ago, Jesse Lederman fell short of an at-large Council seat in a year with no retirements. Now two councilors are retiring.
For the City of Springfield, 2016 proved notable on multiple fronts. It briefly saw itself as the center of attention in the presidential contest. MGM evolving complexity dodged for at least another year a threat from Connecticut. A bevy of police controversies throttled City Hall
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
Few things matter as much in elections as who is Springfield’s voice on Beacon Hill. The third largest city in the state, it has its share of reps and senators, but the quality has varied. Today, we may be experiencing a high(er) watermark of enthusiasm
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
SPRINGFIELD—With a more competitive than expected race for City Council rapidly developing here, at-large City Council candidate Jesse Lederman sought to foment further momentum by rolling out high-profile political support. State Representative Benjamin Swan endorsed the young, upstart candidate, whose campaign has drawn attention in
Even before the Pioneer Valley has rung in 2014, the year’s musical chairs and political calculus is well underway. At this early stage, the moves fall into two categories: those seats we know are open and those that may be pending a retirement and its
We have some pretty big Massachusetts political news bubbling up from the streets of Springfield, but first a quick word on Iowa. Willard Mitt Romney should have stayed away. Yes, he won by eight votes, but unlike the polls that raised up and slapped down