ATHOL — Independent state Rep. Susannah M. Whipps has announced she has satisfied the requirements to appear on the ballot in November and is now officially a candidate for re-election in the Second Franklin District.
The district includes Athol, Erving, Gill, New Salem, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Templeton, Warwick, Wendell and part of Belchertown.
“I look forward to listening to the voters and hearing their thoughts on the future of our region while continuing to serve the people of this district,” Whipps stated.
She was first elected in 2014 and is now serving her second term in the legislature. She sits on the Joint Committees on Elder Affairs; Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development and Municipalities and Regional Government.
“I plan to continue to move forward with an agenda which prioritizes working families, rural school funding, and communities which are healthy, safe and economically sound.”
“Providing exemplary constituent services is something that my legislative aide, Missi, and I take very seriously. Much of the work we do is one on one with people throughout the district who need assistance,” Whipps said. “Whether we meet with someone in our district office (located at 352 Main St., Athol) or in their living room or favorite coffee shop, we make sure that we are available to assist our constituents as they navigate their way through state agencies. We have created a strong network of liaisons and friends who can usually help us solve issues which arise for our constituents.”
Whipps changed her political affiliation from Republican to Unenrolled/Independent last summer. Regarding this change she stated, “I have been very pleased with the response I have received in the district as well as on Beacon Hill.”