From the moment educator Johnnie McKnight came less than 250 votes of unseating 11th Hampden State Rep Bud Williams in 2025, it seemed highly like he would try again. Indeed, last December, he announced he would do exactly that. What may have been more surprising was that a small crowd would join him to take on the longtime fixture of Springfield politics.
Springfield City Council and School Committee hopefuls plied their political wares last week during an outdoor forum. Focus Springfield and White Lion Brewing organized and staged the event in the “Pridelands” beer garden, across Main Street from the brewer’s taproom in Tower Square. It may
The mayoral race in Springfield will not be the only one with a preliminary in 2023. Earlier this month, the city Election Commission certified incumbent at-large Councilor Sean Curran and 2021 runner-up Juan Caraballo for the ballot. They were the 12th and 11th candidates to turn in enough signatures for the at-large race. On September 12, voters will whittle the list down to 10 candidates for the November 7 general election.
In only days, Springfield will hold its first ever special election for City Council. A large field has formed, but voters at the August 16 preliminary could be spare. Nevertheless, with seven contenders, the special election has become perhaps the most competitive preliminary since ward representation returned in 2009.
The ballot for Springfield’s first City Council special election since ward representation returned has now closed. All seven of the original aspirants for the empty Ward 5 Council seat have returned their papers for the race.