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Driscoll launches write-in campaign

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW East Longmeadow Selectman James Driscoll has re-launched his campaign to win the Democratic spot on the November ballot for the 12th Hampden state representative seat.

Because of an error, Driscoll will not be on the September primary ballot. The only Democrat on the ballot will be Springfield City Councilor Angelo Puppolo.

Driscoll will run as a sticker or write-in candidate for the Sept. 12 election. He believes that because there is a precedent in the district current State Representative Gale Candaras came to office through a sticker campaign and the voting technology used by the three municipalities in the district is easier for voters to understand.

"I was amazed by the amount of support I've received," Driscoll said. He added that "hundreds" of people have volunteered to work on his campaigns and he said he intends to have at least two people at every polling site in the district.

In the mean time, Driscoll plans an aggressive grassroots campaign.

"It will be door to door, blocking and tackling," he said.

"People are scared of the future for Springfield," he continued. "People should ask themselves if Springfield is better off than nine years ago."

Nine years ago is when Puppolo took office as a Springfield city councilor and Driscoll said, "The guy doesn't deserve a promotion."

Driscoll criticized many of the councilors by saying, "All they worry about is getting re-elected every two years."

Driscoll emphasized that as a selectman he has had to make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions to ensure the financial stability of East Longmeadow.

Puppolo recently received the endorsement of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, but Driscoll dismissed the support. He said he didn't try to solicit that endorsement and that his campaign will have a "host" of endorsements, although the only one he cares about is the one from the voters.