It would seem that democracy is alive and well in this corner of the world.
We can’t recall the last time we saw so many strong candidates for a First Franklin District seat in the House of Representatives.
At last count, there were seven candidates who want to replace retiring state Rep. Stephen Kulik, the Worthington Democrat who has represented much of Franklin County for the past 25 years.
It feels like a different candidate has emerged each week since the 67-year-old Kulik declared that he won’t seek re-election. His seat on Beacon Hill has attracted a 20-something Bernie Sanders foot soldier, a veteran Whately selectman, a former congressional aide turned chamber of commerce executive, a hilltown farmer and lawyer, a journalist, a prosecutor and a women’s advocate.
Take your pick. We have something for everyone.
Whoever wins will have a tough act to follow, as Kulik has been universally respected for his smarts and no-nonsense service to constituents and straightforward politics. But they are lining up for a chance to try.
In no particular order, we have:
The 20-year-old chairman of the Worthington Democratic Town Committee Casey Pease, the youngest paid staff member on Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign as a sophomore at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Francia Wisnewski, who plans to be an advocate for local schools, farm workers, social services and transportation in the rural communities. Her background comes primarily in education and social services, while holding several positions in local government. Wisnewski is the chairwoman of the Hampshire and Franklin Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, is a member of the Montague Town Meeting and the Montague Democratic Committee.
Natlie M. Blais of Sunderland is executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Her priorities include broadband availability, transportation, affordable housing and workforce development. Blais entered politics 20 years ago working with then-Congressman Bernie Sanders. She was also a congressional aide to John Olver and Jim McGovern.
Whately Selectman Jonathan Edwards joined the race saying that like Kulik his experience as a town official allows him to “best fill those shoes as quickly as possible, from day one.” He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Elizabeth Swihart is an assistant district attorney in Franklin and Hampshire counties. She said she will “engage in solutions that involve deep funding for our rural schools, transportation, and fresh local food support, which would in turn benefit local agriculture, taxpayers, and all citizens alike.” Swihart lives in Turners Falls.
Cummington farmer and lawyer Christine Doktor’s priorities include the sustainability of small communities, funding schools, health care and infrastructure.
“I wanted someone who was really living these issues and was really deeply connected here,” said the western Massachusetts native and mother of two.
An Emmy-award winning journalist who has recently made Huntington her home, Kate Albright-Hanna was the first person to file papers to run for the House seat.
“It’s the year when regular people have to step up, and when, in particular, women have to step up,” said Albright-Hanna, who has reported for CNN, Vice and MSNBC, worked on the 2008 Obama presidential campaign and a 2016 campaign to convince U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren to run for president.
The 1st Franklin District covers 19 towns in Franklin and Hampshire counties as well as the town of Chester in Hampden County, including Ashfield, Buckland, Conway, Deerfield, Leverett, Montague, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland and Whately in Franklin County.
These seven candidates are going to do their part to give our voters a choice in who represents them on Beacon Hill. Voters of the First Franklin District should not forget to do their part when the time comes.
State primaries are scheduled for Sept. 4.