Democrats join crowded race for State SenateDate: 4/14/2010 April 14, 2010.
By Katelyn Gendron
Reminder Assistant Editor
GREATER SPRINGFIELD -- Two Democrats have joined the crowded race to represent Hampden District in the State Senate.
State Rep. James Welch, 6th Hampden, and Susan Dawson, the former mayor of Agawam who failed to garner re-election last fall, declared their intentions last week to win the seat occupied by State Sen. Stephen Buoniconti, who has chosen to run for district attorney. The district encompasses Agawam, Chicopee, Springfield and West Springfield, totaling approximately 262,000 constituents.
Welch and Dawson joined a field dominated by Republicans, including Kenneth Condon of West Springfield, Robert Magovern and Vincenzo Tirone of Agawam, and Joel McAuliffe of Chicopee. Condon, Magovern and McAuliffe formally announced their candidacies last month.
"This was not an easy decision. But, given the challenges facing our communities and the uncertainty of our economic situation, I believe we need experienced leadership on Beacon Hill," Welch said.
He noted that as a three-term state representative, his experience should provide him with a leg up on the other candidates. Welch said he believes representing a larger district as state senator will allow him to have a greater impact on all communities involved.
"My priorities [if elected to the Senate] will stay the same: investing in education, job creation and economic development, which out region needs to improve on as a whole," he explained. "[It's about] doing things that we do well and getting back to basics."
Welch said his main priority as a state representative or senator is constituent service. "It's about being accessible and approachable and someone they feel they can talk to, while at the same time trying to get results for people," he added.
When asked why she's seeking a return to the political world, Dawson quipped, "I don't know why people would put themselves through the things that they do as politicians for the small amount of money they are paid. It must not be the money."
She added, "I want to do the right things for people again ... [and address] the issues that are most important to the people."
Dawson said she believes the most pressing concerns in the Hampden District are the economy, fiscal responsibility, bullying in schools, quality education and homelessness.
"We're still in a budget crisis," she said. "We need to look at our government and carefully scrutinize what we're doing with the taxpayers' money.
"We need to address what we're going to do with [the proposal regarding] casinos," she continued. "I do think that a casino that is carefully placed will do positive things for the Commonwealth. I'd like to be a part of a very logical approach to casinos."
Dawson added she's very concerned about the large number of people living in hotels on Riverdale Street in West Springfield. The state lacks enough shelter beds for the homeless, and must therefore place them in hotels and motels across the Commonwealth to the tune of $2.3 million each month.
"It is a societal problem that we need to address and it is imperative that we do something positive for those people," she said.
Welch has been working with Buoniconti for more than a year to implement sweeping reforms of the state's welfare system, specifically regarding the 940 families in hotels and motels across the Commonwealth.
Candidates must obtain the required signatures of registered voters by April 27 to be eligible for the primary and general elections on Sept. 14 and Nov. 2, respectively.
|
