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Date: 3/30/2022
CHICOPEE – And now there are three.
After considerable speculation, City Councilor Joel McAuliffe confirmed he would be running for the state representative seat for the Eighth Hampden District at a press conference outside of City Hall on March 28.
He joined fellow City Councilor Shane Brooks and teacher and veteran Shirley Arriaga in the race. All three are Democrats.
Standing with him at the press conference were family, friends and supporters, including City Councilors William Courchesne and Robert Zygarowski. Former state Rep. Francis Lapointe was also there lending his support.
Prior to his announcement McAuliffe released a video announcing his decision on his city council Facebook page.
“For 31 years we’ve benefited from the leadership of our outgoing State Representative, and I want to thank Leader Wagner for his years of advocacy on our behalf. He leaves big shoes to fill, which is why it has never been more important that Chicopee’s next state representative be able to hit the ground running on Beacon Hill,” McAuliffe said.
With his fiancée, Deanna Rousseau, at his side, McAuliffe said, “Chicopee is where we chose to build our lives.” He added with a smile that their wedding is 138 days in the future.
McAuliffe stressed that he came from a working-class family. He is a graduate of Chicopee Comprehensive High School, class of 2010, Springfield Technical Community College and Arizona State University. After running unsuccessfully for School Committee, McAuliffe worked as an aide to former Mayor Richard Kos from 2014 to 2017. He went from that job to working as the deputy chief of staff for state Sen. Eric Lesser, who is now running for the nomination of lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket.
McAuliffe was elected to the City Council in 2017 where he has advocated for city employees and unions as well as being the councilor most avidly advocating for municipal city-wide internet services. Crossroads Fiber has started installing neighborhoods with an alternative for commercial internet services.
He is chair of the council’s Communications Committee and Claims and Accounts Committee.
In 2021 he was named one of Business West’s “40 Under 40” acknowledging his accomplishments in public service.
On his campaign website (www.JoelforChicopee.com) he noted if elected he would work to have Crossroads Fiber city-wide. He would make sure Chicopee receives its fair share of federal infrastructure funds and would work to develop areas such as the former Uniroyal complex. He would also support the construction of a new Barry School, the creation of East-West rail and universal pre-K.
A life-long resident of Chicopee, McAuliffe said he “never dreamed” he would be making an announcement such as this one. He added the city has given him much.
He predicted he would have the largest grassroots campaign in the city’s history. “I’m all fired up and let’s win this thing,” he concluded.