There are several contested races in western Massachusetts for state House and state Senate seats. Here’s a roundup:
STATE SENATE: BERKSHIRE, HAMPDEN, FRANKLIN AND HAMPSHIRE
This district is currently represented by Adam Hinds, who ran an ultimately unsuccessful campaign for lieutenant governor instead of seeking re-election. In a game of musical chairs brought on by redistricting, Hinds’ decision opened the door for state Rep. Paul Mark to run.
Democrat: State Rep. Paul Mark (website, campaign finance)
Republican: no candidate
Unenrolled: Brendan Phair, special education aide (website, campaign finance)
STATE SENATE: HAMPDEN AND HAMPSHIRE
Democrat: State Sen. John Velis (website, campaign finance)
Republican: Agawam City Councilor Cecilia Calabrese (website, campaign finance)
STATE SENATE: HAMPDEN, HAMPSHIRE AND WORCESTER
This state Senate seat is being vacated by another candidate for lieutenant governor, Eric Lesser, who finished second in the Democratic primary for that nomination.
Democrat: State Rep. Jake Oliveira (website, campaign finance)
Republican: Business owner Bill Johnson (website, campaign finance)
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 3RD BERKSHIRE
Democrat: State Rep. William Pignatelli (website, campaign finance)
Republican: no candidate
Green-Rainbow: Michael Lavery, Becket Select Board member (website, campaign finance)
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 2ND FRANKLIN
Democrat: no candidate
Republican: Jeffrey Raymond, retired firefighter, Montachusett Regional Voc. Tech. School Committee member (website, campaign finance)
Unenrolled: State Rep. Susannah Whipps (website, campaign finance)
Unenrolled: Kevin McKeown (moved out of district)
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 3RD HAMPDEN
Democrat: Anthony Russo, Agawam city councilor (website, campaign finance)
Republican: State Rep. Nick Boldyga (website, campaign finance)
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 7TH HAMPDEN
Democrat: Aaron Saunders, lobbyist, former Ludlow Select Board member (website, campaign finance)
Republican: James “Chip” Harrington, Ludlow School Committee member (website, campaign finance)
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 8TH HAMPDEN
State Rep. Joe Wagner, after serving in the state House since 1991, opted not to seek re-election. In one of only two open state House races in western Massachusetts, former congressional aide Shirley Arriaga faces unenrolled candidate Sean Goonan, a carpenter’s helper and farmer.
Democrat: Former congressional aide Shirley Arriaga (website, campaign finance)
Republican: no candidate
Unenrolled: Sean Goonan, carpenter’s helper and farmer (website, campaign finance)