Just under a week after 1st Franklin State Rep Natalie Blais resigned to take a job at UMass-Amherst, the first candidate in the race has emerged. Corinne Coryat, an aide to Blais, has organized a committee with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance
Western Mass appears to have its first open legislative contest of the 2026 cycle. Deerfield Rep Natalie Blais announced last week that she would be resigning on January 19 to take a job with UMass-Amherst. It is unclear whether there will actually be a special election for the seat. Either way, a large field could easily bubble up from the 18 communities the sprawling 1st Franklin District.
NORTHAMPTON—Amid an upheaval in Boston legislative seats, a new delegation took shape here and points north. All three of the Hampshire County-based seats were vacant due to retirements or death. The adjacent 1st Franklin, also picked a new rep along as did the region’s state
To Be (1st) Franklin is a series on the open race for the 1st Franklin House District. NORTHAMPTON—Natalie Blais and her family relocated to Sunderland from Belchertown because of the quality of life. From the local market to Mt. Toby Farm where her kids spend
To Be (1st) Franklin is a series on the open race for the 1st Franklin House District. UPDATED 9/2/18 8:26PM: To note others endorsements of Edwards. DEERFIELD—About 41,000 people per state House district, as of the 2010 Census, can seem like a lot. It’s the
To Be (1st) Franklin is a series on the open race for the 1st Franklin House District. WILLIAMSBURG—The departure of Stephen Kulik from the 1st Franklin District has prompted a mad dash of contenders. Given the subtle differences and stark similarities among the 19 towns
To Be (1st) Franklin is a series on the open race for the 1st Franklin House District. HUNTINGTON—Retirements, resignations and deaths are ushering in a political shift in the 413 from the Vermont border to here in the foothills of the Berkshires. For the 1st