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Category Archives: 4th Hampden

Hindsight 2020 & the Election That (Mostly) Was in the 413…

Former Vice-President Joseph Biden will be the 46th President of the United States and Senator Kalama Harris will be Vice-President. Four days after polls closed across the nation, Biden and Harris accumulated votes in enough states to win in the Electoral College. Their victory is

A Wild, Wild Westfield Ride for Rep, in an Uncommon Time…

WESTFIELD—The special senate election here did not have much drama. For much of the official campaign and nearly a year before that unofficially, the political soothsayers felt it was then-Rep John Velis’ to lose. They were right. There were prophecies about his former House seat,

Whistle Stops: Some Grand Old Conundra for a Grand Old Party…

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

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After 8 Month Trial, a Full Term and a Full Plate for Velis…

This is the third in a series of posts on the new 189th Massachusetts General Court sworn in January 7. WESTFIELD—When John Velis first became the 4th Hampden’s representative, it was too late to file items for the budget himself, let alone legislation that could escape

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Analysis: The 413 Elephants in the Picnic Grounds…

Depending on your perspective, 2014 is either a good year or a less poor than usual one for Western Massachusetts Republicans. On the one hand, there are some pickup opportunities for the party. On the other, for the first time in a long, long, LONG

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Seeking a Two Year Term of Endearment for Velis & Westfield…

WESTFIELD—The usual term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives lasts two years, about 19 months of which is in session. After that campaigning begins anew. John Velis has had only about 106 days in session before he needs to prove himself to voters once again.

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Rep. John Velis, Solemnly Sworn…

BOSTON—Four new state representatives were sworn into the Massachusetts House of Representative in what will likely be the penultimate ceremony of its kind before legislature’s formal session ends in July. Among those sworn was John Velis, a Westfield Democrat, whose historic win earlier this month

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Analysis: How the Westfield Was Won…

UPDATED 4/5/14 1:28: For clarification of third parties impression of the race. WESTFIELD—In a blistering loss for the Massachusetts Republican party, Democrat John Velis defeated the GOP’s Dan Allie in a special election to fill the 4th Hampden seat vacated by Don Humason last year.

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Endorsements on Parade: Whipping up Support for Velis…

This Tuesday, April 1st, Westfield faces a choice that is no laughing matter.  It will choose its next representative in the Massachusetts General Court, filling the seat Don Humason vacated to become State Senator.  While Humason still represents Westfield in the Senate, his constitency now