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Date: 3/17/2022
PELHAM – On March 5, the Pelham Town Democratic Committee gathered to caucus, an early step in the process of electing delegates to the state nominating convention. At the nominating convention, scheduled for June 3 and 4, state-level Democratic candidates for the primary will be chosen.
According to Jane Porter, chair of the town’s Democratic Committee, Diane Gray will serve as Pelham’s delegate to the state convention, with Barbara Cooper the alternate delegate.
Caucusing is done in each town and varies in frequency. Some towns caucus every 10 years, while others caucus yearly to establish a slate of candidates for local elections. The state Democratic Party sends out a call to caucus with instructions on how to properly elect delegates to the state convention. This year the process will be a little different in Pelham because the town, during re-districting, was moved to a newly created district.
“Well, it’s interesting,” Porter said. “Every town in this new district has ties to other towns outside the district. There are actually four counties represented among these seven towns … so everyone is in the same boat.”
Pelham is now in the 7th Hampden district with Petersham, New Salem, Wendall, Shutesbury, Belchertown, and Ludlow. Further complicating the district picture is the state representative for Belchertown and Ludlow, Jake Oliviera, is running for state senator. His seat as a representative will be contested.
Porter said Republican James “Chip” Harrington declared his candidacy for representative for the 7th Hampden District. Democratic candidates Aaron Saunders declared his candidacy and will oppose Harrington.
Saunders took part in Pelham’s caucus last Saturday, as did state Rep. Mindy Domb, who will represent the town until 2023. Saunders served on the Board of Selectmen in Ludlow for a number of years, worked with John Kerry, and was chief of staff for Sen. Gale Candaras for six years. Saunders and Domb also worked together briefly on a task force on food insecurity on college campuses.
“Mindy Domb,” Porter said, “indicated she’ll be working closely with whoever represents us. We’ve been really happy with her. We’re very much hoping to promote coordination between her and the new person, whoever it is.” She said of Saunders, “He will be collecting signatures and campaigning. If there is anyone else who wishes to run, to represent our district, they will also be collecting signatures.”
The caucus this year was not as well attended as party officials had hoped, especially considering the open seat in the House and the creation of the new district. While there are over 500 registered Democrats in Pelham, fifteen took part in the caucus. Many members serve on non-partisan town boards and committees. Porter said that town business in general doesn’t involve party politics.
The Democratic caucus was also about issues important to the town and residents. Porter commented on the increased awareness in local voters of the need for solidarity and equal representation. Those are two powerful results from the caucus.
“We’re really committed to building coalitions within our new district,” Porter said. “We’re really committed to finding a voice for the rural towns…and we are just really interested in promoting the interests of our district and western Massachusetts.”
The Democratic state convention is scheduled for June 3 and 4 at the DCU Center in Worcester. It will be a hybrid convention, with in person attendance, video participation, or call-in. Voting will be done electronically.
“All voting will be virtual, electronic voting,” Porter said. “Anyone who receives 15 percent or more of the vote will be on the primary ballot. Anyone who receives 50 percent of the vote or more, will be considered endorsed by the convention.”