State Senate candidate John Cain, of Southwick, speaks March 9, 2020 during a Town Hall style meeting at the Westfield Athenaeum. (HPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – State Senate candidate John Cain, a Republican, fielded questions March 9 from residents during a Town Hall-style meeting at the Westfield Athenaeum.
Cain, a Southwick resident, is seeking the seat previously held by Mayor Donald F. Humason Jr. State Rep. John C. Velis, D-Westfield, is also seeking the seat, which will be decided in a Special Election March 31.
Cain introduced himself as a husband, father, local business owner and Navy veteran. Cain spoke informally with about a dozen residents gathered in the Lang Auditorium and was asked why he was a Republican, how he differed from his opponent and how he felt about issues including gas hikes, homelessness, opioids, the closure of local mental health facilities and more.
Cain said he was a Republican, in part, because he believes in helping people who are willing to help themselves, or who cannot help themselves. Cain also said he believes in standing up for the middle class who make too much to receive assistance but not enough to make ends meet.
When asked what he would bring to the seat, Cain quickly said “one of my biggest focuses is transparency in government.” He said he would hold himself – and his fellow legislators – accountable.
In response to a question on voter identification cards, Cain said he supported the Voter ID. “We need an identification to do almost everything in this country, except vote,” he said.
Cain was asked about Westfield’s water and said it was of the “utmost importance” to provide clean water to residents. He said if the new filtration system was not the answer, he would look at the other options, such as drilling new wells or purchasing water from another community, which he said were decisions that would be made locally, however, he would take residents’ concerns to the state.
One member of the audience asked Cain how he would “get things done” at the State House “not knowing anybody.”
“I do have some connections,” Cain said, adding that being a young Republican in the Massachusetts Senate would gain him attention. He also said he would work across the aisle when possible.
“With issues that don’t compromise my morals and ethics, I’m willing to come together with people,” he said, adding “it’s important to listen to people.”
Cain was asked about a vote to give members of the House raises and he said he would not support what he called a significant increase.
“I’m not doing it for the money,” he said.
Cain spoke about the second amendment and noted he carries a firearm. He said he supports term limits and reining in spending. He said he is against a gas tax hike — or an increase to any tax – until spending is controlled. Cain fielded numerous other questions during the two-hour event.
For more information on Cain, visit johncain4ma.com.
The 2nd Hampden and Hampshire Senate District includes Agawam, portions of Chicopee, Easthampton, Holyoke, Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southampton, Southwick, Tolland and Westfield.
