Curran opts out of bid for re-election to House
Date: 12/12/2013
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Sean Curran may not be running for another term, but he will still represent his district, which includes wards in East Springfield and Chicopee.
“I’ll return those calls,” he said with a smile.
Curran announced his intentions not to seek re-election on Dec. 6. He told Reminder Publications that with the Democratic primaries about nine months away this was the right time to “give people a chance to look at the seat.”
Curran said that once out of office he would return to practicing real estate law in downtown Springfield.
“I’m here for another year,” he said. “I plan to show up every day and bring back local aid for Springfield.”
His other legislative priorities include continuing his efforts to move repairs on Interstate 91 forward as well as a new Hampden County Hall of Justice.
Curran recalled that his initial reason to run for the seat was to restore the street lights that had been turned off in East Springfield.
In his announcement, Curran said, “When I was elected to my first term in 2004, I was optimistic that public service was a way to improve the city of Springfield. At the time, our city was bankrupt and without a vision for the future. Today after nearly ten years at the State House, I believe the city of Springfield has a clear path to prosperity. I am convinced, now more than ever, that state government, with the right leadership, can continue to bring about further revitalization, economic growth, and a renewed civic spirit.”
He expressed pride in several major accomplishments, included the new State Data Center; the renovation of Union Station; the $40 million loan from the state and the establishment of the Finance Control Board; and the recently announced University of Massachusetts Springfield campus.
“Beyond brick and mortar projects, I am proud of my advocacy for policy initiatives to improve benefits for veterans, expand early childhood education, and increase access to healthcare,” he added.
Curran has also worked toward the improvement of rail connections between Western and eastern Massachusetts as well as Hartford Conn. and Springfield. He also championed an examination of the formula on which state aid is awarded to cities and towns as a means to achieve greater equity of state resources.
