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Date: 2/21/2023
SPRINGFIELD – And then there were four.
State Rep. Orlando Ramos announced his candidacy on Feb. 16 for mayor of Springfield at a rally with the high school he attended, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, in the background.
He was introduced to the media by his daughter Ariana.
Speaking about his high school, Ramos said, “I left high school with a skill. That skill led to a career and the career led to much greater things.”
A native of the city, Ramos earned a degree in carpentry from Putnam and joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 108 and worked in the construction industry. He successfully ran for the City Council in 2013 and served as vice president in 2017 and then president in 2018. He entered the Legislature in 2021 representing the 9th Hampden District.
As a state representative, Ramos said he has brought to the city $2.3 million for traffic safety improvements, $875,000 for economic development, $100,000 for improving water quality, and $100,000 for veterans’ programs.
He said that his campaign would emphasize ways to rebuild Springfield as a city of innovation and opportunity. He asserted the city has lost its identity.
Ramos broke ranks with his former colleagues and current competitors for the mayor’s position, City Councilors Jesse Lederman and Justin Hurst, already by specifically criticizing incumbent Mayor Domenic Sarno.
Sarno has not yet formally announced his reelection campaign but is expected to do so.
He charged that Sarno has changed over his 16 years in office and that he is “out of touch” and “beholden to special interests.”
Ramos said, “We need someone with a new vision to move the city forward.”
He criticized Sarno for raising taxes and said he would end the monopoly of Comcast in the city.
When asked about his economic development plans for the city, he said he would like to “invest in people, invest in human capital.” He added later that he would work to return manufacturing to the city.
He expressed concerns that young people are leaving the city because of a what they see as a lack of opportunity.
When asked why he is running now, especially in a crowded field, Ramos explained, “I think it’s the right time. I considered running four years ago.” He added, “A lot has changed over the past four years” and charged that Sarno has made mistakes, one of which is the way the mayor has handled police issues.
Ramos said, “I don’t think anyone has been more vocal on police transparency than me.” He noted he was an advocate of body cameras for the city’s police and opposed the use of facial recognition software.
He added that if he is elected mayor, he would make sure the Police Department lives up to the Department of Justice consent degree and said he wants the city’s police to be members of the community.
He added he will be presenting more of his platform as the campaign unfolds.
On the topic of campaign financing, one reporter noted that Sarno has about $300,000 in his political account, far more than Ramos. Ramos said in reply, “Sarno may out-raise me, but he won’t out-work me.”
Ramos added, “I like to get things done. I come from the construction industry.”
His website is www.VoteOrlandoRamos.com.