The Recorder will co-sponsor a debate on Sept. 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Mohawk Trail Regional School in Buckland for candidates in the three-way Democratic state Senate race in the district that includes nine West County towns.
The debate will be an opportunity for voters here to acquaint themselves with the three hopefuls seeking the Berkshire-Hampshire-Franklin-Hampden District seat in the Sept. 8 primary.
Running for the seat being vacated by incumbent Sen. Benjamin Downing, D-Pittsfield, are attorneys Rinaldo Del Gallo of Lenox and Andrea Harrington of Richmond and Adam Hinds of Pittsfield, who runs Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.
The district includes Ashfield, Conway, Shelburne, Buckland, Charlemont, Hawley, Heath, Rowe and Monroe in Franklin County.
Other co-sponsors include the Ashfield Democratic Town Committee, Frontier Community Access Television, Falls Cable TV, the League of Women Voters and WHMP radio.
Andrea Harrington, a Democratic candidate for state Senate, has received backing from the National Association of Social Workers and SEIU Local 509, two organizations that represent thousands of social workers, human service workers, and educators throughout Western Massachusetts.
Harrington said, “I am incredibly honored to have thousands of social workers, human service workers, and educators supporting my campaign for state Senate. These hard-working men and women understand what is a stake as we confront the opioid epidemic devastating our region, ensure that those suffering from mental illness get the comprehensive services they need, provide quality services for our seniors, and invest in early childhood education. I believe that our communities and our region are stronger if we invest in people and comprehensive human services.”
The Massachusetts Teachers Association and 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest health care union in Massachusetts, has endorsed Adam Hinds, one of three Democratic candidates for state Senate in the Berkshire-Hampshire-Franklin-Hampden District.
“Adam Hinds will be an excellent state senator,” said MTA President Barbara Madeloni. “Adam is committed to advocating for students and for our schools, colleges and universities. He will do all he can to help working families and communities across our commonwealth.”
Hinds’ education platform includes prioritizing universal pre-kindergarten, school funding and workforce development. He plans to also focus on regional efficiencies and making sure schools can focus on students’ social and emotional welfare.
A fund-raiser for Democratic House candidate Denise Andrews is planned for Aug. 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Gill Tavern at 326 Main Road in Gill.
“I am looking forward to seeing old and new friends in Gill,” said the Orange candidate, who represented the Second Franklin House district for two terms, from 2011 to 2014 and is challenging Republican incumbent Susannah Whipps-Lee in the November election. “We have so much work to do, and I want to share my ideas on bringing good jobs to the district, on improving the services we deliver to veterans and senior citizens and to make significant strides in the ways we help to both prevent addition and to help families dealing with addition.”
The district includes Gill, Erving, Orange, Warwick, New Salem and Wendell in Franklin County.
The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Attenders should RSVP by calling 1-978-633-7736. Non-perishable food items for donation to a local food bank will be appreciated.
State Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru, has been named 2016 Dairy Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers at its recent annual picnic in Sunderland.
President Dave Shepard praised Mark’s work on behalf of dairy farmers, citing him for “effective representation for his district, for agriculture, and for the environmental issues having a statewide impact.”
Mark, who has served as a member of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture and has consistently sponsored and co-sponsored farm-riendly bills and budget amendments, said, “The importance of helping these local farms remain viable cannot be overstated.”