Pittsfield Democratic state Senator Adam Hinds is launching a bid for lieutenant governor in Massachusetts. He made the announcement official Wednesday during campaign stops in Pittsfield, Springfield and Boston.
Hinds is in his third term as a state senator, and also worked for a decade abroad with the United Nations as a conflict negotiator. During a campaign stop in Springfield, he said Massachusetts needs more visionary leadership.
"I'll tell you what, right now it feels like we're not even getting the fundamentals right," Hinds said. "Every day, people come to me say that they're having problems with housing affordability and child care access and affordability. We're not confronting climate change with the aggressiveness that we need."
Asked why he decided to run for lieutenant governor, Hinds said right now is "a big moment" and cited COVID-19, "the ongoing racial reckoning" and an economic downturn.
"We have a real opportunity with not only the will, because people are recognizing the challenges we face, but we also have the resources finally in billions of dollars from the federal government," Hinds said. "It's time for folks who can bring people together to take on the big challenges."
During the appearance, Hinds picked up an endorsement from one of his Senate colleagues, Adam Gomez of Springfield.
Hinds' announcement did not come as a surprise. He told The Berkshire Eagle in June he was putting a team together to figure out which office to run for next year. Hinds also ramped up his fundraising, doubling his campaign account since the start of this year.
At least three other Democrats have been actively fundraising for their own lieutenant governor campaigns, including state Rep. Rep. Tami Gouveia of Acton.
Hinds’ announcement came a day after a Massachusetts legislative panel released proposed maps for state House and Senate districts. The sprawling 50-plus district he currently represents would stay intact under the plan — and actually add a few communities. It covers all of Berkshire County, and touches the Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
Under the proposal, western Massachusetts is slated to lose one state House seat, which covers parts of Berkshire and Franklin counties. Hinds’ departure could open the door for the state representative in the affected district, Paul Mark, to mount a bid for the Senate seat.
Responding to a request for comment from a reporter on Wednesday, Mark said he would keep them informed of any plans or announcements.
