The task of redistricting often leaves in its wake many choices, chances, trials and opportunities. In Massachusetts, we suffered from the lost of a seat in Congress, and enlargement of the remaining seats to fill the space. However, with the annual federal reapportionment come the
…And the World: We begin today in South Africa where the country remains rocked by violence that grew out a miners strike. The New York Times has a piece about the slow pace of reform in South Africa following the end of Apartheid. Indeed, a
WEST SPRINGFIELD—If you are going to run for office for the first time, it helps to have a base ready to line up behind you. When Hampden County Clerk of Courts Brian Lees announced his retirement and Linda Stec DiSanti, one of four Democrats who
Reapportionment left Massachusetts in the lurch, losing one congressional district. The cramming together of 10 congressional districts into 9 ultimately led to Western Massachusetts taking the hit after evading the redistricting knife the past. Stitching Chicopee, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Springfield and Westfield together into the new
**This post has been corrected to fix a math error. Our earlier projections for turnout in Springfield’s section of the Hampden Senate District applied our projected turnout rate to all registered voters in the city, not the estimated number of registered voters in the district.
Members of the Massachusetts Governor’s Council must see to it that only qualified individuals make it onto the commonwealth’s judiciary and boards. Therefore, although the body meets only weekly and its powers are limited, its impact can be paramount. This is an elected body and
The odds are not one to deter Andrea Nuciforo. In 1996 he was disfavored to win the Democratic nomination for Berkshire County’s senate district. Jane Swift had left the Senate seat open to challenge, ironically enough, John Olver. A clown car of candidates stormed both
LUDLOW—In the race for Hampden County Clerk of Court, John DaCruz has been running longer than anybody else. His campaign predates incumbent Brian Lees’ decision to retire and as the primary has become crowded, DaCruz has tried to argue he fits all of the office‘s
…And the World: We begin today in France, where President François Hollande has called upon the Syrian opposition to form a government. Although many countries have effectively withdrawn their recognition of Bashar al-Assad’s government, this move is a step much further. It also rejects a
Primary day is rapidly approach and with it the effective election of several contests in Hampden County and Western Massachusetts. Some not contested by Republicans or, alternatively, face opposition not expected to win. The Hampden County Democratic Coalition, a group of Agawam, Chicopee, Holyoke, Springfield