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.
After a two-cycle reprieve, Springfield Congressman Richard Neal, the top Dem on one of Congress’s most powerful committees, will face a primary. Teacher Jeromie Whalen made the local media rounds this past week, confirming speculation that had been percolating at least since spring.
Against the backdrop of its own challenges and a broader wave of upheaval in Valley media, New England Public Media has named Elizabeth Román as its next executive editor for news. Román will take over the news operations of the region’s principal public media at a time of flux.
HOLYOKE—Gloria Caballero-Roca has been around the world and her academic research has taken even further. But after a life crisscrossing the globe and the humanities, her next task is running for mayor of Hampden County’s fourth largest city.
UPDATED: 3/14/21 8:58PM: To clarify a building program Sullivan worked on was a proposal. By Adam Bass Correspondent-intern Holyoke at-large City Councilor Michael Sullivan is all but certain to run for mayor. Though he has not formally announced his candidacy, the three-term city councilor filed
UPDATED 9:53PM: Gus Bickford won reelection as chair. Four years ago, Massachusetts Democrats, somewhat discombobulated after Donald Trump won the presidential election, had a task before them. Then-Senator Thomas McGee, was not seeking another term as chair and the Democratic State Committee had to replace
When Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse launched his bid for Congress, he had high ambitions for fundraising: $3 million. For months that effort fell flat. Challenging an incumbent with seniority—and popularity—like Richard Neal did not open a lot of big wallets. The only option was to
UPDATED 8/9/20 10:38PM: To include UMass-Amherst’s response to this news, a new statement from Mass College Dems and a new statement from Morse. Massachusetts College Democrats and their affiliates at Amherst College and the UMass-Amherst have barred congressional candidate and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse from
BY LINDA MATYS O’CONNELL ARTS & CULTURE CORRESPONDENT I’ve been craving an escape from the Trumpiverse recently, something allowing me to see glints of hope on the horizon. When I need this fix, I watch for signal fires from the creatives among us. This week
For all the anxiety of the present time, the United States had been through heart-wrenching change before. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, the economy was changing. Industrial powerhouses withered, and farms began to fail. It was a real fear to people in Eric Nakajima’s family.