WESTFIELD—In one sense, the State Representative John Velis’ kickoff for State Senate was a formality. He had been running unofficially since last spring and officially since Don Humason announced his resignation, shortly after winning the mayoralty here. Still, the launch was both a show of
SOUTHAMPTON—At a low-key fundraiser Tuesday, Westfield Rep John Velis held court with local notables from both here and throughout the 2nd Hampden & Hampshire Senate district. This was not his first swing through town. Although the current occupant of the Senate seat, Don Humason has
Confirming weeks of speculation, Westfield State Senator Don Humason formally announced Thursday he would run for mayor. Mayor Brian Sullivan is retiring, opening the Whip City’s top job. Humason, though a conservative Republican, is an acceptable choice for many who fear a right-wing candidate could
In a jolt to the Whip City politosphere, Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan announced today he would not seek reelection to a third term. The decision not only marks the end of his mayoralty. It could signal a paradigm shift for politics in the city where
WESTFIELD—A brief survey of the crowd packed into the Tavern Restaurant might be mistaken for a family reunion or a parents’s event for kids sports teams, but such is the nature of politics in the Whip City. In fact, friends, family and neighbors had gathered
WESTFIELD—Overshadowed in large part by the hot senate contest next door, the 2nd Hampden & Hampshire Senate election has been a more heated affair as a Democrat seeks one of the few Republican senate seats that could flip. Republican Senator Don Humason is facing a
HOLYOKE—Among the Leahy brothers, there appear to be two directions. A couple are into politics, if only part time. Most of the others are cops. While both practicality and scheduling would prohibit Patrick Leahy from doing both at the same time, he already has a
WESTFIELD—Following years of political malpractice and perhaps poor judgment of electoral strength, Democrats are in a prime position to take back the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district from Senator Don Humason, who won the seat in a special election last year. However, Democrats first must
UPDATED 4/5/14 1:28: For clarification of third parties impression of the race. WESTFIELD—In a blistering loss for the Massachusetts Republican party, Democrat John Velis defeated the GOP’s Dan Allie in a special election to fill the 4th Hampden seat vacated by Don Humason last year.
The story of a veteran running for office is a common one in American politics, but often one based on little more than hagiography of service to one’s country. Too rare are the actual skills and experiences from that service offered as a qualification in