Springfield Preliminary Election Guide 2017

Preliminary Day in Springfield  is Tuesday September 19, 2017.

*NOTE: Not sure of your ward? Enter your address at the Secretary of State’s website to find out where and for whom you vote.  New pages will be posted for municipal general elections after September 19. Only races with preliminaries listed below. All races are single-seat unless otherwise noted.

City Council (related stories)

At-large (five seats)

Thomas Ashe (incumbent since 2010)

Offices Held: Springfield School Committee 2000-2009
Profession: Gov’t & Community Affairs
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On the candidate (briefly): One of the many (often unrelated) Ashes of the area, Thomas Ashe was a longtime member of the School Committee prior to running for an open Council seat in 2009.  Throughout his Council tenure, he has remained relevant as the Chair of the Council’s Public Safety committee. He was at forefront of pawn shop and ride-hailing  reorganizations of the police and fire departments–sometimes for or against the eventually adopted ordinances. Under his jurisdiction have been new rules for taxis and pawn shops. More recently he has co-chaired Council President Orlando Ramos’s ad hoc Police-Community Relations Committee. For more, check out his entry in WMassP&I’s Political Guide.

Ernesto Cruz

Offices Held: None elected.
Profession: Former Political aide, insurance agent.
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On the candidate (briefly): A former insurance agent turned community activist, Ernesto Cruz has worked for political campaigns up and down the ballot.  He ran at-large in 2013 placing seventh and returned this year in what seems like part of a broader push to get a Latino elected to an at-large seat (none have held one since Cruz’s former boss Jose Tosado left the Council in 2011). Some personal issues appear to have inflicted turbulence on his bid, but Cruz has been undeterred.  His campaign marches on.

Victor Davila

Offices Held: None elected.
Profession: Small business owner (transportation).
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On the candidate (briefly): This is not the first time Victor Davila has faced voters.  He has sought municipal office before.  By his own admission, he is in a much different place now than he was then.  Volunteering for a number of campaigns and personal experience with issues of social justice (i.e. immigration) have added to his outlook. As a candidate the has urged a stepped fight against blight and support for Senator Eric Lesser’s efforts to bring regular, reliable rail service from Boston to Springfield.

READ Victor Davila’s Q&A with WMassP&I

Marylin Felix

Offices Held: None elected.
Profession: Housing Program Administrator.
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On the candidate (briefly): One of the new faces to have entered this year’s packed at-large Council contest, Marylin Felix has argued her work in West Springfield’s Housing Authority can address one of Springfield’s most persistent problems: housing.   That experience,  running some of Westside’s biggest housing programs, she argues, translates to fiscal and economic development issues.  As a first-time candidate, she faces the same challenges that have bedeviled previous newcomers, but  the wide-open nature of the race gives her a chance to build a base if she survives the preliminary.

Read Marilyn Felix’s Q&A with WMassP&I.

Justin Hurst (incumbent since 2014)

Offices Held: None.
Profession: Attorney/business owner
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On the candidate (briefly): The son of Frederick and Marjorie Hurst, publishers of the Afro-American Point of View, Justin Hurst is also the husband of Denise Hurst, who is currently seeking reelection to the School Committee.  Hurst’s early time on the Council seemed focused on young professionals issues, but he has also taken a leading role as a residency hawk.  His place in winners’ circle over the last two election has varied considerably. In 2013, he placed a stunning first only to drop to fifth in 2015. His placement this year could offer clarity as to the viability of any higher ambitions he harbors.

Jesse Lederman

Offices Held: None
Profession: Public health/environmental advocate, former political organizer.
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On the candidate (briefly): Having started in Springfield politics in his teens, Jesse Lederman‘s activism goes back to the start of the campaign against biomass. That has transitioned to a position with Arise for Social Justice, directing their public health and environmental efforts. As a first time candidate in 2015, he attracted some big-name support and came tantalizingly close to a seat, placing sixth. That showing was not altogether a surprise, given Lederman’s political contacts. Two open seats seems to offer promise to the veteran of several local and statewide political campaigns from Treasurer Deb Goldberg to Senator Ed Markey.

Jynai McDonald

Offices Held: None elected.
Profession: Manager, workforce development.
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On the candidate (briefly): While she may be new to many voters, Jynai McDonald has been active in city politics for some time.  She worked to elect State Rep Carlos Gonzalez in 2014, but has also taken a prominent role in several community issues.  She currently serves on the Council’s ad hoc Police-Community Relations Committee. It’s too early to tell if that’s enough to leapfrog into 35 Court Street, but a compelling biography and resume would seem, at the very least, to give her a leg up in preliminary with several serious candidates.

Read Jynai McDonald’s Q&A with WMassP&I.

Kelvin Molina

Offices Held: None elected.
Profession: community engagement coordinator, regional planner.
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On the candidate (briefly): With only hours to spare before it was too late to pull papers, Kelvin Molina made the plunge into Springfield politics. Most recently he ran a public safety initiative in the South End, but Molina has a background in regional and transportation planning. These credentials, which include a commissioned stint in the National Guard, make his a serious bid. But in 2017, Springfield has no shortage of those. The preliminary will offer a key test of Molina’s ability to break through even on a timeline arguably shorter than other contenders.

Read Kelvin Molina’s Q&A with WMassP&I.

Kelli Moriarty-Finn

Offices Held: None elected.
Profession: Financial services project manager
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On the candidate (briefly): A senior technology project manager at a major investment firm Kelli Moriarty-Finn now wants to try her hand at Springfield government.  A Holyoke native, but longtime city resident, Moriarty-Finn has catapulted herself into city politics with vigor. Previously unknown, she has channeled her neighborhood ties in affluent Atwater Park to launch a serious bid backed by several local luminaries. Public safety and MGM oversight have topped her list of priorities.

Read Kelli Moriarty-Finn’s Q&A with WMassP&I.

Timothy Ryan

Offices Held: City Council (1994-2003).
Profession: Attorney
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On the candidate (briefly): His father was Charles Ryan, Springfield’s once and again mayor, but Timothy Ryan had his own political career, too. Over five terms that coincided with the onset of some of the city’s most challenging fiscal times, Ryan did distinguish himself as a voice of fiscal skepticism (if then one somewhat in the wilderness). Now attempting to reclaim a seat on a much-changed City Council, Ryan is hoping to offer voters that as well as a pitch on public safety. For example, he has called for the revival of the Police Commission to occur sooner than its scheduled 2019 return.

Read Tim Ryan’s Q&A with WMassP&I.

Willie Thomas

Offices Held: Currently Springfield Housing Authority Commissioner (non-elected).
Profession: Housing Director
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On the candidate (briefly): As the chairman of the Springfield Housing Authority’s Board of Directors, Willie Thomas adds to the clutch of housing experts running in this year’s election. Thomas is unique among commissioners in that his is the gubernatorial appointment to the Authority, the rest of which are mayoral nods.  Then-outgoing governor Deval Patrick Thomas to a second five year term in 2015. His background includes serving as a director of housing authorities in South Hadley and West Springfield.

Kateri Walsh (incumbent since 2004)

Offices Held: City Council 1987-1993
Profession: retired, Springfield Women’s Commission Chair
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On the candidate (briefly): If her prior tenure is factored in, Kateri Walsh may have one of the longest tenures on the Council .  Her husband served on the Council before her. Currently the Council’s sole woman, nuts and bolts constituent services have long been key to her tenure. Her perch on the Maintenance & Development Committee, which has oversight of public works, has helped.  But she has also parleyed that into a role in historic preservation and cultural issues. For more check out her entry on WMassP&I’s political guide.

Tracye Whitfield

Offices Held: None elected.
Profession: Workforce development trainer, former financial analyst.
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On the candidate (briefly): Adding to the list of at-large newcomers is Tracye Whitfield, a former financial analyst for the City of Springfield. Not surprisingly, she marketed her familiarity with city fiscal matters. After attending several Council meetings for her Finance Department job, she has also seen it in action. Now, building off her current career in workforce training, she’s focusing on workforce and economic development. She’s has an intriguing background, but faces many other compelling newcomers in the battle for visibility and votes.

READ WMassP&I’s Q&A with Tracye Whitfield.

Ward 2 (Atwater Park, East Springfield, Hungry Hill & Liberty Heights)

Michael Fenton (incumbent since 2010)

Offices Held: None elected.
Profession: Attorney
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On the candidate (briefly): Having completed a well-regarded three-year stint as Council President, Michael Fenton, is settling back into life as an ordinary councilor. Residency and budgetary vigilance have been dominance features of his time in office.  This year presents Fenton’s first challenge since winning a tight race in 2009. On name recognition and visibility alone he has an edge.  While his field game eight years ago was impressive, that’s still a long time.  Nonetheless, he has openly relished the opportunity to take his accomplishments back to the doors of Ward 2. For more check out his entry on WMassP&I’s political guide.

Kency Gilet

Offices Held: None elected.
Profession: therapist
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On the candidate (briefly): A relative newcomer to the City of Springfield, Kency Gilet was arguably the first declared challenger to the four-term Fenton. He has tried to utilize his background as a therapist while pitching to voters. While not running as such overtly, Gilet has clearly signaled a more conservative outlook than most, especially for Springfield. On some matters, such as public safety, it’s not clear if that was intentional or an attempt to align with the mayor, a frequent foe of Fenton’s.

Ivelisse Gonzalez

Offices Held: None elected.
Profession: student finance
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On the candidate (briefly): Marking a return to the Springfield’s electoral front two years, Ivelisse Gonzalez has joined the field for Ward 2’s Council seat.  In 2015 Gonzalez ran for mayor, a part as a reflection of a discontent over Domenic Sarno’s administration. But against the weight of his office–and a refusal to actually campaign–she and her fellow challengers fell to the incumbent. With Fenton all but certain to advance beyond the preliminary, the race to survive to November appears to be between her and Gilet.

Ward 3 (Forest Park-Partial, Maple Heights/Six Corners, South End)

Kevin Dumpson

Offices Held: None elected.
Profession: former firefighter
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On the candidate (briefly): Little has come out about this challenger to Melvin Edwards, but Kevin Dumpson has filed for the job.  According to his busy campaign signs, he has served as a Springfield firefighter and a member of one of the city’s neighborhood councils.

Melvin Edwards (incumbent since 2010)

Other Offices Held: None
Profession: Retired, from Mass Dept of Mental Health
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On the candidate (briefly): One of four remaining ward councilors from the 2009 elections, Melvin Edwards is again seeking reelection. Issues like enforcing and/or revising the city’s Responsible Employer Oridinance remain on the top of his agenda. President of Keep Springfield Beautiful, neighborhood maintenance and beautification are low-key, but significant activities, mirroring his Council demeanor. Notably, in the past year he has taken on the ad hoc Green Committee’s portfolio. For more check out his entry on WMassP&I’s political guide.

Matthias Galvin

Other Offices Held: None
Profession: technical sales, engineering
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On the candidate (briefly): Beginning what seemed a subtle campaign, Matthias Galvin has joined the ranks of younger candidates in this year’s election cycle. Though previously unknown, his campaign has gotten some the press.  In his announcement he said he wanted to use his engineer background and contacts to leverage legislation and policy that would benefit the city according to The Republican.

Ward 4 (Bay, McKnight, Old Hill, Upper Hill)

Lorenzo Gaines

Other Offices Held: None
Profession: non-profit director
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On the candidate (briefly): As with others, this is not Lorenzo Gaines‘s first appearance on a Springfield ballot.  The community activist and one-time nonprofit leader joins a particularly crowded field for the city’s definitely not vacant Ward 4 Council seat. Thought currently a candidate himself , Gaines is a frequent presence around Springfield, camera in hand, documenting the city’s political goings-on.

Robert Kelly

Other Offices Held: None
Profession: educator, nonprofit director.
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On the candidate (briefly): Also in the large field for Ward 4’s Council seat is Robert Kelly, a former educator in the Springfield Public Schools and current director of a youth mentoring program. In his announcement to The Republican, he expressed a desire to bolster the city’s programs to assist its youth including night gyms, employment and after school programs.

Larry Lawson

Other offices Held: none known
Profession: Social Services/case manager (historical), educator?
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On the Candidate (briefly): Your guess is as good as ours, but Lawson has been a fixture of Mason Square politics for years, challenging former rep Ben Swan and current Council E. Henry Twiggs on several occasions. Archives suggest Lawson has a history of activism, but his perennial candidacies have historically been underfunded and un-competitive affairs. Though he had very little to spend going into last year’s then-open rep race, he did raise a few bucks, but for 2017, so far he has not.

Candejah Pink

Other Offices Held: None
Profession: housing activist
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On the candidate (briefly): A grassroots housing activist in Springfield, Candejah Pink, she started as a cause célèbre facing eviction due to foreclosure. She has since worked as a lead figure in Springfield No One Leaves, an anti-foreclosure activist group.  Not surprisingly, housing is a key part of her agenda along with better access to healthcare and jobs.

 

E. Henry Twiggs (incumbent since 2010)

Other Offices Held: None
Profession: political activist
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On the candidate (briefly): A local civil rights icon, E. Henry Twiggs was among the champions of ward representation and sought a seat after it became a reality. Civil rights issues including police oversight and residency have been part of his legislative agenda.  However, in more recent months, he has taken on a more senior statesman role, imploring colleagues not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good on several initiatives. For more check out his entry on WMassP&I’s political guide.

School Committee (related stories)

At-large (two seats)

James Anziano

Offices Held: none
Profession: educator
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On the candidate (briefly): A high school teacher and one-time Council candidate, James Anziano has called for more in-house teacher training and vocational options for students. He has also advocated for fair contracts for teachers in the city.

Lamar Cook

Offices Held: None
Profession: Hospitality management.
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On the candidate (briefly): Returning to the political arena after an unsuccessful Council run in 2015, Lamar Cook attempted to distinguish with his private sector experience. As a School Committee candidate, Cook has focused on lowering the drop out rate and preparing students for life after school.  He also serves on the city’s Community Preservation Commission.

James Ferrera 

Offices Held: City Council 2007-2013
Profession: Driver, Office of Community Corrections (historical)
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On the candidate (briefly): After joining the Council mid-term in 2007 to fill a vacancy, Jimmy Ferrera went on to serve an additional three terms. In 2012 and 2013 he served as Council President only to be defeated for reelection during the latter year. Having returned to the scene, he has not made many public statements about his platform. His Council tenure was tempestuous, but his campaign for School Committee has not been despite the crowded field.

Joesiah Gonzalez

Offices Held: None
Profession: student
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On the candidate (briefly): As others in the Pioneer Valley have done, Joesiah Gonzalez is hoping to join the School Committee as one of its more recent graduates. Bringing that perspective to the School Committee is key to his pitch. Now a Western New England University student, he graduated from Sci-Tech in 2015. Whether a function of good organization or stereotypical Millennial familiarity with social media, he has built a solid digital presence for a newcomer.

Ryan Hess

Offices Held: None
Profession: commercial banking
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On the candidate (briefly): Another newcomer to the political scene, Ryan Hess has some key connections to prominent political figures. That has helped gain him the support of Mayor Domenic Sarno.  But Hess’s pitch has been more than that. With young, not quite-school-age children himself, he, too, has underscored his youth. He has also emphasized the need to improve the schools to attract and retain young families like his. With belt-tightening and financial issues having riled the schools in recent years, Hess has says he’ll bring his banking and financial background to the Committee.

Denise Hurst (incumbent since 2010)

Offices Held: none
Profession: Regional Director, Mass Lottery
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On the candidate (briefly): The wife of Council Justine Hurst, Denise Hurst romped in what may have been a close reelection bid in 2013. Now working for the state lottery, she previously worked in mental health and victims’ advocacy services.  Active in the state school committee association and a phalanx of other local and state civic groups, Hurst probably enters 2017 in a far stronger position than four years ago. Hurst has served on the curriculum subcomittee and worked on anti-bullying initiatives. More broadly, she has touts a social justice approach toward the city’s school system.   For more, check out her entry in WMassP&I’s Political Guide.

Michael Koscmiersky

Offices Held: none
Profession: small business owner (renewable energy), educator
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On the candidate (briefly): An environmental small business owner and advocate, Michael Koscmiersky has emphasized enrichment and creative programs for the schools. Also a member of the Council’s ad hoc Green Committee, Koscmiersky has also called for initiatives that help make the schools themselves greener and bringing climate change into the curriculum.

LaTonia Monroe Naylor

Offices Held: none
Profession: nonprofit senior manager
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On the candidate (briefly): Like much of the School Committee field, this is LaTonia Monroe Naylor‘s first run for office. But she seems to have established broad support a relative unknown, complete with one of flashiest website in the at-large Committee field. Monroe Naylor’s background is in She has underscored developing outside partnerships with the schools and developing safety and enthusiasm in the classroom.

District 2 -Wards 4 & 5 (16 Acres, Pine Point)

Barbara Gresham

Offices Held: none
Profession: nurse
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On the candidate (briefly): After defeating the late Sirdeaner Walker by a few hundred votes in  2009, Barbara Gresham did not face opposition in 2013. Now two challengers are coming for her seat. In general, Gresham does appear to have a reputation for dissent on the Committee. Although that may only be on the select items that make the news.

Stephanie Murchison-Brown

Offices Held: none
Profession: educator
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On the candidate (briefly): One of two challengers, Stephanie Murchison-Brown also brings an educator’s perspective to the race. A former math teacher in Holyoke, Murchison-Brown also claims a background in education management.

Giselle Vizcarrondo

Offices Held: none
Profession: community coordinator, nutrition programs.
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On the candidate (briefly): Though new to the ballot, Giselle Vizcarrondo has had a presence in politics for several years now and been active with several local civic associations.  Consequently, she has received some backing from labor. Vizcarrondo’s platform has focused on getting as much of the budget into the classroom as possible.