Despite the dreary weather, Franklin County residents braved the rain on Tuesday to cast their ballots for several contested races in the Democratic and Republican state primary.
1st Franklin District
After state Rep. Natalie Blais resigned on Jan. 19, Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano opted not to call a special election to replace her, leading Blais’ seat to remain open until the November election. On the ballot for her seat in the Democratic primary were Corinne Coryat, Blais’ former aide, and Greenfield City Council President Lora Wondolowski. The primary winner will face off against Whately Town Clerk Amy Lavallee, who is running as an Independent candidate in the Nov. 3 general election.
Ben Clark of Clarkdale Fruit Farms endorsed Coryat early on in the race. Outside the Deerfield Town Hall on Tuesday morning, he described Coryat as the candidate who will fight for farmers and rural communities.
“She’ll continue to follow what Natalie [Blais] has done,” Clark, 48, said.
At past candidate forums, Coryat has highlighted her work channeling disaster relief funds to farmers after the flooding in 2023 and crafting the FARM Bill, or “An Act Fostering Agriculture Resilience in Massachusetts.” The bill proposes several investments in farming, including codifying the Food Security Infrastructure Grant, which funds equipment and infrastructure purchases for farmers, and prohibiting local zoning bylaws from blocking agritourism.
“She was the clear choice,” Clark said.
Coryat’s level of experience is what 58-year-old Turners Falls resident Brian Postera appreciated.
While voting at Franklin County Technical School, he said he was “really impressed by her enthusiasm,” and her knowledge that comes from spending time working in the State House. He pointed out that the 1st Franklin District is made up of 18 towns and is a “really important district.”
“In general, primaries are super important,” Postera said. “Not a lot of people realize that.”
Frank Bertrand, a 68-year-old Deerfield resident, also voted for Coryat.
“She’s more well-rounded and more ready to take on that role,” Bertrand said.
Along with Coryat’s experience as Blais’ former aide and her law degree in progress, Deerfield resident Sophie Brown, 28, said Coryat earned her vote partly due to her age. As a 27-year-old candidate, Brown said Coryat understands the circumstances and perspectives of young voters in the district.
“I just want to see more young people,” Brown said.
She added that Coryat’s plan to spark the development of more shelters for survivors of sexual and domestic violence in the region was “ultimately what swayed [her].”
Deerfield residents John Franc, Annette Pfannebecker and Victoria Ness waved signs in support of Wondolowski near Deerfield Town Hall.
Pfannebecker described Wondolowski’s approach to politics as collaborative, where “people feel like they’re working together toward a common goal.”
Ness, 38, praised Wondolowski’s networking and connections in the community.
“She knows a lot of people, she knows how to get things done,” Ness said. “Western Mass. needs a solid voice.”
In Charlemont, 35-year-old Jeremy Morris and 32-year-old Sarah Grinnell said they were impressed by Wondolowski coming to visit the small western Franklin County community, with Grinnell sharing her appreciation for her advocacy for rural schools.
“We are a very small district here who has been struggling and figuring out ways to creatively continue teaching our children here without having to close schools down,” Grinnell said, referencing Hawlemont Regional School where Charlemont voters cast their ballots on Tuesday. “I support anybody who supports that struggle.”
After casting his ballot for Wondolowski at Greenfield High School, Tom Bledsoe, 69, said Wondolowski’s leadership on the Greenfield City Council has impressed him. From housing to environmental, education and farm-related concerns, he said Wondolowski has her eyes on the “right issues.”
“I think she’d be a strong voice for this region,” Bledsoe said.
U.S. Senate
Voters also chose between incumbent U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, 80, and his challenger in the Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, 47.
Markey first entered U.S. politics in 1973, serving as a Massachusetts state senator until 1976 when he became a congressional representative for 37 years. He started serving as a U.S. senator in 2013. Moulton, who visited Deerfield as part of his campaign in July, started his tenure on the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015.
For George Katsar of Deerfield, the choice was simple.
“[Markey’s] been there,” Katsar said. “He knows all the right people.”
“He’s a much better candidate, he’s never stopped, he’s never slowed down,” agreed Hannah Yaffe, a 75-year-old Deerfield resident who voted for Markey.
From affordable healthcare to efforts like the Equal Tax Act that aims to close tax loopholes for the wealthy, “He’s for all the right things,” Yaffe said.
“He’s always fought for us,” she said of Markey.
Similar to his vote for Coryat, Postera in Turners Falls said he voted for Markey based on his experience in office.
For voters in Charlemont who put their weight behind Moulton, age was a factor in their decision making.
“We need new people all the way up and down,” said 63-year-old Charlemont resident Christina Bell.
Morris noted his concern about Markey’s knowledge of technology and the growth of artificial intelligence, citing an Aug. 20 debate between Markey and Moulton on the topic.
Charlemont residents Robin and Ed Ralicki, 79 and 83, respectively, are also supporting Moulton out of the same concern over Markey’s age.
Nicole Ragoza of Greenfield said her votes at the Democratic primary fell under the same theme: “I hate Trump.” She described Moulton as the right candidate to stand up to President Donald Trump due to his age as a 47-year-old.
“I need somebody young that’s going to go in and kick some a**,” she said. “He’s going to fight more.”
1st Congressional District
While the 1st Congressional District race has an impact on major towns and cities like Springfield, Pittsfield and North Adams, some small Franklin County communities in the western portion of the county are also represented.
Richie Neal, the 77-year-old incumbent Democratic U.S. representative, is challenged by 39-year-old South Hadley resident and public school teacher Jeromie Whalen.
Voters in Charlemont made their decisions, with voters sharing support for both candidates, with some division on age and experience.
Both Morris and Grinnell said they voted for Whalen, citing Neal’s age as a factor in their vote for a younger, new candidate.
Robin Ralicki said she voted for Neal based on his record of service, noting how she feels he’s “done a good job.” Bell also put her weight behind Neal, feeling confident in his capabilities in Congress.
Neal has spent 37 years in politics, 13 of which have been as the 1st Congressional District representative. He was also the previous mayor of Springfield and a city councilor.
Governor’s Council
Voters also saw two names on their ballot for the race to represent District 8 on the Governor’s Council.
The Governor’s Council, also known as the Executive Council, is made up of eight elected district representatives who meet weekly to weigh in on state treasury warrants; the governor’s judicial appointments and appointments to statewide boards, including the Parole Board, Appellate Tax Board and Industrial Accident Board; and proposed pardons and commutations.
Between incumbent Tara Jacobs and challenger Michael Fenton, Matt Howell, a Greenfield resident who recently retired from teaching, said Jacobs was the clear pick for him due to her background in education as a North Adams School Committee member, while Fenton works as an attorney in Springfield.
On the other hand, Postera in Turners Falls said his vote was for Fenton, sharing he wanted to see “fresh blood” in the position.
While some voters made their way to the polls with dedicated candidates and causes in mind, Sandy Jensen, a Montague resident since the 1970s, said that for him, it’s more so about keeping up his civic obligation as a voter, participating in every election for 50 years. Robin Ralicki feels the same, noting it’s “our duty” to go out to vote.
“The big one will be in November,” she said, “and we’ll be back.”
