New England Public Radio

Freshman Lawmakers From Western Mass. Get Start On Beacon Hill

The new legislative session in Massachusetts started this week. And a handful of freshman lawmakers from the state’s four western counties took the oath of office for the first time.

Solomon Goldstein-Rose of Amherst is replacing veteran state rep Ellen Story. Goldstein-Rose said he’s been preparing by attending conferences, trainings and meeting with local officials. The 22 year-old said he had another task on his plate before taking office:

“I just graduated from college in May and so (I) have been staying at my dad’s for the campaign,” Goldstein Rose said. “Now that I know I’m living in Amherst for years to come, (I) needed to find my own place.”

Goldstein Rose joins Springfield City Councilor Bud Williams as the only new state representatives from Western Massachusetts. In the Senate, Adam Hinds of Pittsfield is the lone rookie from the region.

All three Democrats were sworn into office with their colleagues on January 4th.

Incumbents Carry The Day In Western Mass. Legislative Races

While all eyes were on the national political scene Tuesday night, there were a relative handful of contested races for the Massachusetts House and Senate that were decided. It was a good night for the incumbents, and one newcomer.

Democrat Adam Hinds, running for office for the first time, beat Republican Christine Canning for the state Senate seat that includes parts of all four western counties. He’ll replace outgoing Senator Ben Downing. Hinds said he had an approach that was attractive to voters.

“It’s about showing that we can do politics differently here in the context of a chaotic national scene,” Hinds said. “And combine that with a lot of experience I hope to bring to the table, when it comes to negotiations and bringing people together to build a strong collation, and be a strong voice for western Mass.”

Hinds hosted his election night party with incumbent Pittsfield state Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier. The Democrat won her third full-term, defeating City Councilor Chris Connell. Farley-Bouvier said voters delivered a message on Tuesday.

“That they care about a progressive, effective legislator,” Farley-Bouvier said. “That’s what they wanted, that’s what they see in me. I’m really proud to be part of Team Pittsfield.”

In the First Hampden and Hampshire Senate district, Democrat Eric Lesser was re-elected over Republican Chip Harrington. Harrington had the backing of Governor Charlie Baker, who spent a Sunday afternoon with him, watching the Patriots at a Springfield bar.

“We were flattered by it a little bit, honestly, that he thought it was worth his time,” Lesser said. “That’s in the past now. We’re just kind of focused on moving ahead. It was a big, big win and a big victory, and we’re grateful for that.”

State Senator Don Humason also was sent back to Boston, winning in the Second Hampden and Hampshire, as he beat back the challenge of Democrat J.D. Parker-O’Grady. Humason is the only Republican senator from this side of the state.

“Most of the time, especially in western Mass., we find ourselves, Republicans and Democrats, working together because we’re so outnumbered, and we’re so far from the capital,” Humason said. “I pride myself on being able to work well with my colleagues in the House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans.”

Other Senate incumbents winning contested races Tuesday include Democrats Ann Gobi and Senate President Stan Rosenberg.

On the House side, Republican Nicholas Boldyga and Democrat Jose Tosado were both re-elected from their respective Hampden County districts.

Canning, Hinds Have A Low-Key Debate Ahead Of State Senate Election

Candidates for a state Senate seat,which covers more than 50 towns spanning Massachusetts’ four western counties, debated Monday night in Pittsfield. Democrat Adam Hinds of Pittsfield and Republican Christine Canning of Lanesborough are vying for the seat currently held by Ben Downing, who is stepping down after a decade.

The debate at Berkshire Community College had a cordial tone, and neither candidate raised their voice at each other for the entire 45 minutes,

Canning, an educational consultant, and Hinds, who heads a social service agency in North Adams, were asked about Question 4, which would legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Hinds said while he has no problem with adult use, he’s concerned the ballot question doesn’t do enough to take care of young adults.

“Does this ballot question create enough to insulate the developing brain of youth from the impacts of substance use, up to age 24 and 25?” Hinds said. “Right now, it’s legalization from 21 on.”

Canning agreed with Hinds on that, but thinks the marijuana business could mean a lot of green for the region.

“If you really want to re-purpose our area, look at our agriculture and make money, we have to look at it as both a vertical and horizontal model of integration where we are selling, and buying and reproducing,” Canning said.

And that was only the start of the conversation about how to grow the economy of Berkshire County, which makes up most of this district. Hinds said improving broadband internet service, public transportation and workforce development efforts are all important. He said education is key in attracting young adults to the Berkshires.

“It’s those 20-to-30-year-olds that are maybe about to start a family who are missing,” Hinds said. “And we better be able to point to the best schools around for that reason as well, if we’re going to keep them or attract them. And that means we better do all we can to bolster our schools.”

Canning said, in order to get more jobs in the area, state government needs to look at another way to attract new businesses.

“We need to lower our taxes so that we can increase small business, because we know, and you know, that small business attracts jobs,” Canning said.

And at the end of this forum, no dust needed to settle, as the Democrat and Republican, who both called for an inclusive, bi-partisan approach to the job, shook hands, chatted and smiled for a few minutes — a stark contrast to some debates at the national level this fall.

Democrat Hinds Takes State Senate Primary

Will Face Republican Canning in November

Democrat Adam Hinds won a three-way primary Thursday for the Massachusetts state Senate seat that covers parts of the four western-most counties. He defeated Andrea Harrington and Rinaldo Del Gallo with more than 50 percent of the vote to move on to the November general election. And all you had to do was follow the money to find the winner.

Hinds raised almost $75,000, about four times as much as second place finisher Andrea Harrington, in the latest campaign finance reports. Hinds received contributions from more than 350 different donors. He said that was a great sign for his campaign.

“We’re proud of the fact that we have one of the largest numbers of individual contributions to a state Senate race and candidacy in this district, ever,” Hinds said. “To me, we’re very happy that it shows we put together a broad coalition with wide grassroots appeal.”

The three candidates agreed on many issues: an increased minimum wage, more green energy in Massachusetts and a higher tax for the wealthy. Harrington, a political newcomer, said she’s focused on party unity.

“I’m all in on helping make sure that a Democrat is elected in November,” Harrington said. “I’ve certainly let Adam know that and I’m proud of what we did and I’m really impressed by what he’s accomplished. He’ll be a great state senator.”

And Rinaldo Del Gallo, who came in third and raised just $500, says he too will back Hinds. He said he knew he was up against it going into the election, but decided to stick it out.

“One of the most difficult things to do is to have the political courage to stay in a race where you know you can’t win,” Del Gallo said. “I think I had a good effect on the race. I think I pushed everybody to the left.”

So the stage is set for the general election and Adam Hinds’ new opponent is Republican Christine Canning of Lanesborough. She says not having a contested GOP primary put her at a disadvantage since she hasn’t been able to spread her message. With Berkshire County’s strong Democratic roots, she says it’s like running against a machine. Canning said she agrees with her opponent on many issues, but called into question his campaign spending.

“When I look and see him spend $55,000 on a primary in Berkshire County…I think it sends a message, especially when we’re the poorest county,” Canning said.

The winner in November will replace Democrat Ben Downing, who is stepping down after a decade in office.

Several State Legislative Races On Mass. Primary Ballot

Thursday is state primary day across Massachusetts. And in western Mass., Democrats are competing in several legislative races.

In Pittsfield, incumbent State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier faces a challenge from Michael Bloomberg, the cousin of the former New York mayor.

Voters in parts of Springfield will choose among four candidates for the state representative seat currently held by Ben Swan, who is not running for re-election.

In Eastern Hampshire County, six Democrats are vying to replace Rep. Ellen Story, who is also stepping down.

The only state Senate primary is in the sprawling 52-town district that currently belongs to Ben Downing and covers parts of all four western counties. Rinaldo Del Gallo, Andrea Harrington and Adam Hinds are all looking to move on to November’s general election.

With Primary Looming, Money Rolls In For Western Mass. Legislative Races

With only days remaining until Thursday’s primary elections in Massachusetts, new campaign finance records are shedding some light on some western Mass. races for seats on Beacon Hill.

In the 11th Hampden House District in Springfield, Democrat Ben Swan, Jr,. has raised more than $20,000. That’s four times as much as opponent Bud Williams. Williams, though, still has a war chest of $34,000, much of which is left over from previous City Council campaigns.

In the 3rd Hampshire House District, there are six Democrats, with Solomon Goldstein-Rose leading the way in contributions with almost $25,000. That’s double the amount of the next closest candidate Sarah LaCour. The other four Democrats combined raised about as much as Goldstein-Rose did on his own.

In the 3rd Berkshire Democratic House race in Pittsfield, incumbent Tricia Farley-Bouvier raised more than $29,000, $11,000 more than challenger Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg did pick up nine maximum donations of $1,000 each, including one from his cousin, the former mayor of New York.

In the region’s sole contested primary for a state Senate seat, Democrats in a Berkshire County-based district have made campaign donations a hot topic.

According to data from the state, Adam Hinds raised nearly $75,000 in the latest reporting period, almost four times a much as his closest opponent in the money race, Andrea Harrington. Hinds has drawn fire from Harrington for accepting donations from employees of energy and fossil fuel companies. Hinds tells the Greenfield Recorder he gave back one of the donations, and wasn’t aware of the others.