Two candidates for a western Massachusetts State Senate seat are confronting each other over Donald Trump and political opportunism. The topics arose during a recent debate on Focus Springfield TV between incumbent state Senator Eric Lesser, a Democrat, and his challenger, Republican Chip Harrington.
They’re running for the First Hampden and Hampshire State Senate seat, which represents 13 communities from Belchertown to Longmeadow.
Both candidates were asked whether they were opportunists. Harrington defended his decision to switch parties since the last election.
“Let me remind you: Two of the leaders of the Democratic Party — Elizabeth Warren was once a Republican, until I think she was the age of 44 when she became a Democrat, and Hillary Clinton herself was a Republican back when she was in college,” Harrington said. “So people mature, people change and people do change their parties.”
Lesser was asked if he was focused on a bigger stage by campaigning for Hillary Clinton and on having friends in high places from his time working on the Obama campaign. He didn’t answer directly.
“I’d like the voters to look at what we’ve been up to the last twenty months,” Lesser said. “When I ran for office two years ago, I came to you and I said, ‘Let’s work together on some big issues.'”
But Harrington wouldn’t let go of the question about Lesser’s aspirations. Part of the debate took place in Lincoln Douglas format, allowing the candidates to question each other directly. Harrington portrayed himself as someone whose dreams reach no higher than state senator. He pushed Lesser on whether he’d run for the seat of Springfield Congressman Richard Neal, if it suddenly opened up.
“Well, no, that’s a very hypothetical question, Chip, so I’m not going to answer a hypothetical question,” Lesser said. “I’m going to continue to do the job as long I feel like we’re effective and we’re making things happen.”
For his part, Lesser accused Harrington of sharing campaign resources like office space and volunteers with Donald Trump.
“I don’t know if they’re his resources,” Harrington responded. “They’re national GOP funds. So I don’t know if they’re Donald Trump’s resources. I’ve never met Donald Trump, I don’t plan to meet Donald Trump. Donald Trump’s a disgusting person. I’m not voting for Donald Trump. When it comes to Election Day, I’m writing [Massachusetts Governor] Charlie Baker’s name in.”
The candidates also tried to outdo each on who is more supportive of veterans and the arts, and on who is more capable of battling the opioid crisis.
