LUDLOW—Twelve days out from primary day, the parking lot at the Elks Lodge on Chapin Street was filling up with a long row of cars. Inside, the crowd of more than 125 were mostly in the back lining up along the refreshment table and scarfing
UPDATED 5:21PM: To reflect that all of the Democratic senate candidates had filed their OCPF reports. SPRINGFIELD—Taking a break from the campaign trail, Dr. Thomas Lachiusa looked out over Bass Pond hidden off of Parker Street. The sun settling into its evening descent hung overhead,
The opening of a seat on the Ludlow Board of Selectman offered an opportunity for Aaron Saunders, then Chief of Staff to Senator Gale Candaras, to make his own mark on the political scene. Like others elected in 2008, however, Saunders would find it not
LONGMEADOW—In the shadow of the 2002 recession, each community felt cuts to local aide—inevitable as acting Governor Jane Swift ruled out new revenue—in their own way. During an assembly in January that year, students, faculty and staff at the high school gathered and learned what
WESTFIELD—Following years of political malpractice and perhaps poor judgment of electoral strength, Democrats are in a prime position to take back the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district from Senator Don Humason, who won the seat in a special election last year. However, Democrats first must
Come January, tipped employees in Massachusetts will receive their first raise in over 15 years. The increase will be meager $1.12. The full minimum wage will rise to $11 from $8. Still, this time, the most vulnerable workers affected by minimum wage laws are not
UPDATED 7/21/14 3:14 PM: For grammar and clarity. EAST LONGMEADOW—Nik Nadeau was not sure if everybody was clearly in the frame as he took a picture of Eric Lesser supporters lined up in front of the sign-filled windows of the campaign office. “I need everybody to
UPDATED 9:13PM: For clarity. BELCHERTOWN—The pitch begins easily enough for Chip Harrington. He enters one of the businesses facing the Historic center of this sprawling Hampshire County town and strikes up a conversation. “Hi, I’m Chip Harrington, running for state senate,” he says greeting a
Some of the winners from Friday’s State Ballot Law Commission decision are obvious, starting with Eric Lesser, the former White House aide running in the contest to replace retiring senator Gale Candaras. The voters and indeed other contestants in the race are winners, but the
The State Ballot Law Commission ruled unanimously this morning to overrule an objection to Eric Lesser‘s candidacy for the 1st Hampden & Hampshire Senate district. In doing so the commission rejected the challenge from Springfield City Councilor Tim Allen, another candidate in the race, and