New England Public Radio

Candidates For Greater Springfield Senate Seat Differ On Commuter Rail

Five Democrats are vying to replace outgoing Massachusetts State Senator Gale Candaras in Greater Springfield. The candidates differ on a possible commuter train between Boston and Springfield.

MORE: New England Public Radio’s voter guide for primary elections in western and central Massachusetts and northern Connecticut

The theoretical creation of that line was the only issue that sparked some debate between the candidates in a roundtable discussion. Aaron Saunders is skeptical.

“A train from Boston to Springfield would be great for Boston. I’m sure it would,” said Saunders. “But when we only have scarce dollars, we need to apply those in the way that’s best going to help western Mass. residents, and that’s investing in the PVTA, investing in our local roads and bridges.”

Two other candidates agreed with Saunders. But Eric Lesser says the state needs to expand commuter rail, which currently stops in Worcester.

“Let’s extend that train from Worcester out to Springfield. Let’s have it come to Springfield, bring that prosperity, bring that growth out to us too, it is achievable,” said Lesser.

On other issues, the five men mostly agreed. All support the Springfield casino. All five also support medical marijuana, but are against full legalization of the drug. The winner of the September 9th primary will face Republican Deb Boronski in November.

Candidate roundtables are part of a collaboration between The Republican newspaper, MassLive, CBS3 and New England Public Radio.

Republicans In 2nd Franklin Race Differ On Proposed Gas Pipeline

Two Republican candidates for Massachusetts state representative disagree on a proposed natural gas pipeline that would cut through their Franklin and Worcester County district.

MORE: New England Public Radio’s voter guide for primary elections in western and central Massachusetts and northern Connecticut

Karen Anderson and Susannah Whipps-Lee both strongly support Second Amendment rights, and want fewer taxes on businesses. But they differ on a proposed natural gas pipeline. In a candidate roundtable, Anderson said she hasn’t yet made up her mind on the issue, still she said the region will need to make up for the loss of energy sources like the closing Vermont Yankee nuclear plant.

“Who is going to replace that energy need? We all have cell phones, we all have computers, and we charge them every day,” says Anderson. “So we need to find out what exactly is going on, what nature is going to actually be removed, and we don’t have those answers yet.”

Whipps-Lee opposes the pipeline, partly because of the nature of the land it would pass through.

“It’s ledgy and boney, the people up there are ledgy and boney too, and pretty tough,” says Whipps-Lee. “They’re not in favor of it. They’re not in favor of the plan at all.”

The winner of the primary will face Democratic incumbent Denise Andrews in November.

Candidate roundtables are part of a collaboration between The Republican newspaper, CBS3 and New England Public Radio. 

With Conn. Primaries Coming Up, Top Election Official Predicts Low Turnout

Connecticut’s primary election is quickly approaching on August 12th, and there’s still time to register to vote. But the state’s top election official expects low turnout.

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill says the Republican primary for governor could bring more people to the polls. That race is between Tom Foley and John McKinney. But overall, Merrill says she expects most voters to skip the primary.

“It’s too bad, because I think it is a time when voters have a very important choice to make,” says Merrill. “But traditionally we don’t get much above twenty, thirty percent turnout in a primary, and I’m expecting probably the same thing.”

Merrill says it’s too late to switch parties for the primary for registered Republicans or Democrat. But for voters that are not affiliated with a party, or not registered to vote at all, there’s still time to change that. Residents can register online or by mail until August 7th. The drop dead deadline for registering in person is noon on August 11th.

For more information on upcoming primaries in Connecticut and Massachusetts, check out our voter guide.

Warren Beats Markey In Approval of Mass. Voters

Massachusetts voters favor Elizabeth Warren significantly more than fellow U-S Senator Ed Markey, according to a UMass poll released Thursday. About twice as many voters view Warren as more effective than Markey. Neither senator has a job approval rating of more than 50 percent.

Pollster Tatishe Nteta says Warren has become a prominent national figure, particularly among progressives, and Markey lacks a similarly high profile. Nteta says that could be a factor in Markey’s re-election campaign this fall.

“He’s not necessarily connecting in ways in which we’ve seen with Senator Warren. The excitement for Senator Markey is not similar to that of Senator Warren,” Nteta says. “So it will be interesting to see on election day whether or not voters come out in support of Senator Markey.”

Still, Nteta says it’s likely Markey will win this fall’s election. Two Republicans have announced runs against Markey so far: Brian Herr of Hopkinton, and Frank Addivinola of Boston.

Cities and Towns Prepare for Mayoral Elections in Western and Central Mass.

It’s an off-year for most state and national elections, but many communities across western and central Massachusetts will pick mayors in Tuesday’s election.

Among the cities picking a mayor is Holyoke, where Alex Morse is running for re-election. He was elected two years ago at age 22. He’s being challenged by resident Jeff Stanek. Morse has outraised Stanek, thanks in part to support from outside of Holyoke. At least 44 percent of the money Morse reported in his latest campaign filing – comes from outside the city. For his part, Stanek has pumped more of his own money into the campaign than Morse has.

Other contested mayoral races include Chicopee, Easthampton, Gardner, Leominster, North Adams, West Springfield, and Westfield. A number of municipalities will also pick city councilors, including Pittsfield, Springfield, and Worcester.

In Easthampton, 4 candidates are vying to succeed Mike Tautznik, who’s been the only mayor since Easthampton changed its charter to become a city in 1996.

Tautznik says he’s happy with what he’s accomplished as mayor, but says there’s always more to do.

“There’s a host of things I think that are left undone,” Tautznik says, “but in my mind, that’s the right way to lead is you’re always leading for the future, so you need to plan well beyond your tenure in order to be effective in this kind of work.”

Earlier this fall, Tautznik made a run for the open state Senate seat formerly held by Mike Knapik, but lost in the Democratic primary. He says he’s unsure of his plans once he’s out of office, but is looking for work in the private sector.

Connecticut Prepares for First Election with Same-Day Registration

Voters in Connecticut can register to vote and cast their ballots at the same time on Tuesday. It’s the state’s first election with same-day registration since a law allowing the practice passed last year. 

Connecticut is the 11th state in the country to permit election day voter registration. Residents looking to register can do so at their local registrar of voters’ office. Bristol will pick a mayor in its municipal elections. Sharon Krawiecki is the city’s Republican Registrar. She says holding election day registration is an additional cost to her office, likely a few thousand dollars. But Krawiecki expects just a little over a dozen people will sign up, in a city with over 60,000 residents.

“In a local election, if our turnout is 30 percent we’ll be happy,” Krawiecki says. “So that will dictate how many people will be coming in for election day registration in a municipal election. State-wide elections will be different. Next year will be different.”

Another registrar in nearby New Britain says he expects 200 to 300 people to sign up in person for that city’s mayoral election. Connecticut is the third New England state to allow election day registration. New Hampshire and Maine also have the practice; Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont do not.