Governor’s Council race heats up after Hurley’s announcement Date: 3/7/2022 WESTERN MASS. – The decision made by a veteran elected official has opened up another political seat this year.
Governor’s Councilor Mary Hurley announced last week she would not seek reelection to the seat. The former Springfield mayor and judge said in a written statement, “The time has come to give someone else the opportunity to serve.”
Hurley added in her statement, “It is my hope that there are great, qualified candidates who are interested in running for the position. As the election unfolds, I may endorse someone who I feel will do the best job and has the best qualifications to serve our region. Last but certainly not least, I want to thank the people of Springfield and all of Western Massachusetts who placed their faith and trust in me when they voted for me as city councilor, mayor and governor’s councilor. My almost 30 years in public service gave me a wonderful and interesting life which I greatly appreciate. Thank you.”
She has served three terms. Hurley represented the Eighth District which includes Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and most of Hampden counties. The term is for two years.
Two candidates announced quickly after Hurley’s announcement: Springfield City Councilor and attorney Michael Fenton and Attorney Jeffrey Morneau, who challenged Hurley in 2016.
Fenton said, “The Governor’s Council is probably the least known elected position in Massachusetts government, but it is also one of the most consequential. Among other duties, the council plays an important constitutional role in determining the composition of the judiciary. I am seeking this position to help shape the future of the bench. Impartiality and good judgment are the qualities we all want in a judge, and I would like to bring those same qualities to the Governor’s Council.”
Fenton is a shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz, and Fentin, P.C., a regional law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton. He specializes in business and estate planning, elder law, commercial and tax-exempt bond financing, real estate, litigation and bankruptcy.
Morneau is a founding partner at Connor & Morneau, LLP and is president of the Hampden County Bar Association. In his statement he said he had been waiting to announce based on Hurley’s decisions. “Mary has been serving our community well as governor’s councilor and she earned the right to continue doing so if she so chose,” he noted
He added, “When we are talking about the long-term appointments to the judiciary, it is critical that we get it right and my experience as a lawyer and with the judicial nominating process makes me uniquely qualified to serve as a governor’s councilor.”
Fenton sees the position as one that bring regional equity to Western Massachusetts. “We are the least funded area of the state by almost every measure. I see the Governor’s Council role as an opportunity to fight for equitable treatment here in Western Massachusetts – that means advocating for the appointment of Western Massachusetts residents and fighting for funding in our region more broadly. The fact of the matter is that our region needs a strong voice on the council advocating for Western Massachusetts, and I know I can deliver on that.”
Morneau said, “I understand the importance of maintaining the integrity and transparency of the judicial selection process. I have helped to organize seminars and informational meetings for potential judicial applicants and participated in public testimony hearings for judicial nominees in Western Massachusetts. As governor’s councilor I will continue those proactive efforts so that judicial vacancies in Western Massachusetts are filled quickly with the most competent and qualified lawyers from local communities.”
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