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Date: 3/10/2022
EAST LONGMEADOW – Another candidate has thrown their hat in the ring for the newly-redefined Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester state Senate seat. East Longmeadow Attorney John Harding announced his candidacy in a press release on Feb. 25.
In early February, while considering a run to represent the district, Harding was weighing the opportunity against the time it would take away from his family. He told Reminder Publishing, “This is the last thing in the world I want to do, but I’m really feeling called by God.”
Harding, who grew up outside Boston and moved to East Longmeadow with his family after leaving the military, said “I understand Beacon Hill. I would, I believe, be able to bring reason and ability to get things done.” He added, he wants to “stop the vitriol and get back to doing what we got to do.”
While Harding has not been an elected official in the past, he sees his experience in the military as an attribute.
“Nobody has my experience,” Harding said. He pointed to his “real-world foreign diplomacy,” as a skill set that can help unite “our profoundly divided communities.”
When discussing his reasons for running, Harding said, “I joined the Marine Corps for my country that I don’t recognize anymore.” He added that he is “disappointed and disgusted with what our country has become.”
Though a registered Republican, Harding said he is an “independent type,” who has “a lot of progressive ideas.” He assured, “I have absolutely no agenda except to help people. It pains me to see how people are suffering.”
He finished his candidacy announcement by stating, “A vote for me is a vote for unity, responsibility and justice for all.”
The Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester state Senate district is composed of Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Wilbraham, Granby, Belchertown, Ludlow, Palmer and Warren and parts of portions of South Hadley, Chicopee and Springfield. The seat is currently occupied by Eric Lesser, who has announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor in January. The seat is also being pursued by state Rep. Jacob Oliviera and Longmeadow-based Sydney Levin-Epstein, who has worked in the offices of Congressman Richard Neal and Sen. Edward Markey.