Rep. John Velis
WESTFIELD – When Sen. Donald F. Humason, Jr. officially announced his intention to run for Mayor of the City of Westfield on Thursday, Rep. John Velis started getting calls from all over the state, from Boston to Westfield, asking him whether he intended to run for Humason’s Senate seat. So much so, that he enlisted the aid of his friend, political consultant Anthony Cignoli, to help him draft a statement.
One reason for the inquiries was that Velis first joined the House of Representatives during a special election in April of 2014, when Humason left to become a State Senator and fill the seat of Senator Michael Knapik, who left for a position at Westfield State University.
Velis said at the time something someone said to him has stuck in his head. ““In politics, the man or woman doesn’t make the times; the times makes the man or woman. If an opportunity presents itself, and there are problems you would like to be part of the solution to, you step forward and take those leadership opportunities.”
Velis acknowledged that the State Senate is a natural progression from the House of Representative. “It’s a district I’m very familiar with, having attended many events over the last few years, whether for veterans or other issues,” he said, adding, “When the State Senate seat does come forward, we want to keep this seat in the Whip City.”
Velis said his focus is on serving Westfield in his present position. “The people of Westfield have elected me to zealously advocate for their cause in the House of Representatives,” he said.
He also said right now it is not about him. “From my standpoint, this is all about Don right now, and his decision to change gears and bring it back to Westfield.” He said even though he is a Democrat and Humason is a Republican, they are friends. “Right now, the story is Don running for Mayor,” he added.
At-Large Councilor Dan Allie
In the 2014 special election that first brought Velis to the House of Representatives, he ran against At-large Councilor Dan Allie, defeating him in a close race.
When contacted about the current chain of events, Allie first gave a strong endorsement of Humason for Mayor. “Don Humason will be a strong candidate for Mayor. I have known Don for thirty years, dating back to when I lived in Holyoke and helped Steve Pierce run for Governor and Congress,” he said, adding, “Don loves Westfield. He has been a strong advocate for our community and common sense government for years. He is hardworking and will bring his principled leadership to the office of Mayor.”
Allie said if Humason is elected Mayor, and Velis runs for State Senate, he would prefer that the Second Hampden and Hampshire district Senate seat, which covers eleven cities and towns in Western Mass., remain centered in Westfield.
“Westfield is already a hub for the region, bordering most of the towns in the district. I have faith in the people of Westfield and surrounding towns to elect someone to represent them in Boston,” Allie said.
As for whether he would once again throw his hat in the ring, Allie said, “Should Rep. John Velis run for State Senate in 2020, I would decide at that time, whether to run for State Representative.”
