Michael Lachenmeyer, a Wilbraham native, announced Monday he would challenge 12th Hampden Rep Angelo Puppolo in next year’s Democratic primary. Such an early start is unusual for legislative races, yet it presents opportunities for both incumbent and challenger.
On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain with high expectations and a nervous crew. After two grueling months spent crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Columbus’s small flotilla made landfall in the Bahamas just off the southern coast of Florida. At the time Columbus
by Michael Lachenmeyer Correspondent-Intern Late last February, the 7th Hampden District’s State Rep. Thomas M. Petrolati announced that he would not be seeking reelection for the seat which he has held since 1986. Democrats have dominated the 7th Hampden District for fifty years. Yet, with
by Michael Lachenmeyer Correspondent-Intern In June and July, candidates competing in three races spanning Hampden County fought to win over voters while also doing their best to boost their fundraising numbers. While the novel coronavirus has upended many normal aspects of campaigning, the money race
By Michael Lachenmeyer Correspondent-Intern When the 9th Hampden District was first established, it covered several small rural communities to the south and west of Springfield proper, including the towns of Agawam, Southwick, and Granville. However, over the course of the late 19th century, the borders
Whistle Stops is an occasional series of shorter hits from the legislative campaign trail. by Michael Lachenmeyer Correspondent-Intern Within the national Republican Party, few figures contrast with President Donald Trump as much as Governor Charlie Baker. Where Trump’s policies tack towards the right edge of
Whistle Stops is an occasional series of shorter hits from the legislative campaign trail. by Michael Lachenmeyer Correspondent-Intern For the past four months, a pandemic has ravaged the country leaving more than 100,000 Americans dead and plunging the economy into depths unseen since the Great
by Michael Lachenmeyer Correspondent-Intern Despite the novel coronavirus, campaigns for State Rep in Greater Springfield go on. In the 7th and 9th Hampden Districts, competitive races have begun to take shape as ambitious local leaders attempt to earn a ticket to Beacon Hill. While campaign