In the Democratic primary for the Hampden District state Senate seat, longtime incumbent James Welch is facing off against former Springfield City Councilor, and U.S. Senate staffer, Amaad Rivera.
Back and forth between the two candidates highlights a familiar campaign dynamic. Welch says his challenger is more about campaign rhetoric than concrete action. Rivera frames the incumbent as a Beacon Hill insider who's out of touch with his constituents.
Like in a debate on Focus Springfield TV, when Rivera brought up a campaign expenditure the Massachusetts Association of Realtors made on Welch's behalf. The group opposed a Senate bill on housing and development, and Welch didn't cast a vote on the measure.
“Can you please explain to us why you stood with this special interest lobbying group, the Mass. Realtors Association, [and] did not vote for this legislation, instead of voting with the community?” Rivera said
In the same debate, Welch criticized Rivera's position on charter school expansion. Rivera has said he supports charters while opposing their expansion -- but also said it's not an issue for western Massachusetts, which hasn't reached its state-imposed charter cap.
It doesn't work like that, Welch said.
“When you’re pressed on and you’re presented [by] a voter to make a decision, you can only say, ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ ” Welch said. “You can’t change your mind, and change the topic of your discussion and your position based on the audience that you’re speaking to.”
Welch has served as senator for the district that covers West Springfield and parts of Springfield and Chicopee for 14 years. Campaign finance reports show he's spent nearly $82,000 this year compared with Rivera's $17,000.
Rivera has been talking up his progressive positions on issues like gun control. He did off Welch a tongue-in-cheek compliment on the senator's A-minus approval rating from the NRA.
“Having a lower rating than he’s ever had in his career is nice, it’s still higher than Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, but I’m very happy that he’s done that,” Rivera said. “I look forward to supporting him in the policies that he supports this year.”
While both candidates support incentives for people on food assistance to buy fresh food, Welch pointed out how their support differs.
“I know my opponent likes to talk about how he did this, and he did that,” Welch said. “But there’s actually one person on this stage who actually did do, and did vote, and did move things along in the legislature.”
And moving bills through the legislature will most likely fall to whoever wins this primary, as there are no Republicans running.
Take a look at NEPR's Massachusetts Primary Voter Guide 2018.
