Editor’s Note: This is the last in a series of profiles introducing the Democratic candidates seeking the nomination to represent the 8th District on the Governor’s Council. A profile of Republican candidate John Comerford was published in June.
Springfield City Councilor Mike Fenton announced his pursuit of the Democratic nomination for Governor’s Council representing the 8th District on March 1, the same day the office’s current occupant, Mary Hurley, announced she would not seek reelection.
Fenton, a Springfield native, graduated from Cathedral High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Providence College in Rhode Island. He then returned to Springfield to attend law school at Western New England University, where he also earned a master’s degree in business administration.
“While starting law school and moving back home,” Fenton said, “Springfield was changing its government to ward representation for the first time in almost 50 years. So, I ran for office at 22 years old (2009) and got elected. I started law school that year, graduated three years later with my JD and my MBA, and I’ve been a practicing lawyer ever since.”
Fenton describes himself as a “transactional attorney.”
“My practice focuses on representation of businesses, lenders, developers all throughout western Massachusetts, northern Connecticut and eastern New York,” he said. He also does some pro bono work, representing nonprofits, economic development organizations and social justice organizations. Fenton serves on the board of the Social Justice Institute at Western New England University’s School of Law, where is also an adjunct faculty member; and on the board of Roca, a youth violence prevention organization.
When asked about his motivation to run for Governor’s Council, Fenton said, “I see the impact that judges can have on our community.
“You need to have qualified individuals who are free from the political system, and who possess the right temperament and humility to be able to meet people where they are in our judicial system,” Fenton continued. “That means understanding the history of racial injustice in this country, and that people and communities have different experiences with the criminal justice system. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that those individuals can have on a community and on the lives of people who are my neighbors and my friends.”
The Governor’s Council approves nominations made by the governor, including lifetime appointments to judgeships and clerkships. Other nominations the council votes on include Parole Board members, Department of Industrial Accident judges and other administrative quasi-judicial positions. The 8th District encompasses much of the four westernmost counties in the state as well as parts of Worcester County. Council terms run for two years and the position pays $36,025 yearly.
The second reason for Fenton’s candidacy, he said, is seeing the position “as an opportunity to fight for regional equity.”
“Western Massachusetts, Springfield, and the other cities and town that make up the four western counties are largely forgotten on a statewide and on a regional scale,” he said. “This position gives an opportunity to the councilor from the 8th District to be front and center with the governor and lieutenant governor on a weekly or monthly basis. We as a region should recognize the power that that carries, to have broader conversations about things like investment and infrastructure, economic development and public safety.”
Fenton feels it is appropriate for councilors to ask judicial candidates for their views on certain issues.
“I think it’s appropriate to have litmus tests, and the litmus tests should be consistent with the values and laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts,” he said. “What the overturn of Roe has highlighted is the importance of the judiciary. But what it has also highlighted is the importance of the Legislature and elected government because in places like Massachusetts, the right to choose and the right to bodily autonomy for all my female sisters across the commonwealth remains protected because of the legislative process. Every judge that is confirmed, no matter what court, has an obligation and a duty to uphold those laws.”
Fenton added he hopes, if elected, to raise the visibility of and underscore the importance of the Governor’s Council for western Massachusetts residents.
His opponents in the Democratic primary are North Adams School Committee member Tara Jacobs, attorney Jeffrey Morneau of East Longmeadow, and Holyoke attorney Shawn Allyn. Palmer resident and U.S. Air Force veteran John Comerford is the sole Republican in the race.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.