SPRINGFIELD—It was not their first confrontation, but the first where they could really mix it up—and they did. In a debate Wednesday night, James Welch, the incumbent senator for the Hampden Senate District, and his opponent, former Springfield City Councilor Amaad Rivera jousted on healthcare,
Former Springfield City Councilor Amaad Rivera has reentered the electoral arena, challenging West Springfield Senator James Welch. Rivera, who has mostly worked as a political aide since leaving office, is Welch’s second Democratic primary opponent. Springfield Ward 1 Councilor Adam Gomez announced in January. Taking
The death of 1st Hampshire Representative Peter Kocot has become the latest upheaval in the Upper Pioneer Valley’s legislative delegation. Kocot, 61, died last week of an undisclosed illness. His death has hit state and local pols to a degree that matches or exceeds the
On Friday, nomination papers for state offices became available, prompting an early salvo of pols’ intentions. For example, despite an investigation into his husband, Amherst Senator Stanley Rosenberg picked up nomination papers last week. However, that was not the only Senate news. Springfield Ward 1
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.
SPRINGFIELD—Marking a continuation of ward councilors’ hold of the Council presidency, Ward 8 Councilor Orlando Ramos took the oath as President Monday morning. In a modest ceremony before friends, family and City Hall denizens, the Council formally voted to install him to succeed Ward 2
The High Sheriff in the Valley This post is the second in a series about the end of Michael Ashe’s 42-year tenure as Hampden Sheriff. SPRINGFIELD—This year’s sheriff’s clambake may not be the last in Hampden County ever, but it is Michael Ashe’s last at
HOLYOKE—Capping off a whirlwind day in Western Massachusetts with a listening session, all five of the 413’s senators joined by three of their Eastern colleagues closed out the first Massachusetts Senate “commonwealth conversation.” It was hardly their last, however. The brainchild of newly installed Senate
This is the second in a series of posts on the new 189th Massachusetts General Court sworn on January 7. With the new session officially underway, newly-minted Massachusetts Senate President Stanley Rosenberg released the details of his leadership team as well as seantors’ committee assignments
UPDATED 8/2/14: To reflect additional information about Vottero’s trial record as it relates to one of his endorsements. SPRINGFIELD—The race to be Hampden County’s next District Attorney has, as the candidates have become sharper in their presentations and platform, broken away from major ideological fault