Here in Western Massachusetts, four adjacent State House of Representatives seats and an overlapping State Senate seat have no incumbent. So we are challenged by a loss of continuity and institutional memory–but blessed by a plethora of great candidates. In some of these races, it’s very tough to make a choice. But since we unfortunately don’t have Ranked Choice Voting, which allows you to pick a second and third choice, etc., we have to support someone.
I’ve spent a lot of time over the past several months attending candidate forums and house parties, reading about the candidates in the newspaper and on social media. So I feel I’m making informed decisions, and I’d like to share my choices with you. As time allows, I will add information about why I picked these folks, some of whom are in some pretty crowded races. But meanwhile–make sure you’re registered to vote in the primary!
The Democratic primary is September 4, just one day after Labor Day. To vote that day, you need to be registered by this coming Wednesday, August 15.
First, the races where I get to vote, and then the neighboring ones.
State Senate (to replace Stan Rosenberg, who resigned): Jo Comerford (write-in)
State House (to replace retiring John Scibak in Hadley, South Hadley, Easthampton, part of Granby)): Marie McCourt
Governor (to run against Charlie Baker in the November general election): Bob Massie
Lieutenant Governor (to run against Karen Polito in the November general election): Quentin Palfrey
Secretary of State (running against incumbent Democrat William Galvin): Josh Zakim
US Congress, Massachusetts 2nd District: no primary. Supporting incumbent Jim McGovern in the general election.
Outside my district:
To replace the late Rep. Peter Kocot (Northampton/Hatfield): Lindsay Sabadosa
To replace retiring Rep. Solomon Goldstein-Rose (Amherst, Pelham, part of Granby): Mindy Domb
To replace retiring Rep. Steve Kulik (western Hilltowns and Deerfield/Sunderland): Natalie Blais
US Congress, Massachusetts 1st District: Tahirah Amatul-Wadud (running against incumbent Democrat Richie Neal)
