STATE SENATOR DONALD HUMASON JR.
BOSTON – Senator Don Humason (R-Westfield) has been named the new Senate Minority Whip by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).
As Minority Whip, Humason will be responsible for coordinating the votes within the Senate Republican Caucus and assisting the Minority Leader in developing policy recommendations for the remainder of the 2013-2014 legislative session, while also working to build coalitions with members across the aisle. Humason succeeds Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), who had served as Minority Whip since January of 2011.
Humason was elected to the Massachusetts Senate by the voters of the Second Hampden and Hampshire District in a special election that took place on November 5, 2013. The seat had previously been held by former Senator Michael Knapik (R-Westfield), who resigned in August to accept a position with Westfield State University. Humason had been a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 2003 and had previously served as the Director of Legislative Affairs at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health & Human Services and Knapik’s Chief of Staff in the House and Senate.
“Don Humason has proven as a state representative that he can not only effectively and passionately represent the needs of his constituents, but also that he understands the intricacies of policy-making needed to get things done in Boston,” said Tarr. “As the Minority Whip, Don will be an integral part of my leadership team and will work with the members of our Caucus every day to ensure that the Republican Caucus is effectively involved in all matters taken up on Beacon Hill.”
“I am honored to be appointed Minority Whip by Senator Tarr,” Humason said. “I appreciate his confidence in my abilities to navigate the legislative process in the Senate and build coalitions wherever possible. I am looking forward to working alongside my Republican colleagues in the Senate and with our Democrat colleagues on the other side of the aisle as we serve the people of the Commonwealth.”
“Although Republicans are outnumbered by Democrats in the Senate, we have no shortage of good ideas for improving the economy and making the state a more affordable place to live,” said Tarr. “Don Humason has garnered tremendous respect from his colleagues for his willingness to work with other people, and I look forward to working closely with him in the months ahead to address the issues that are important to our constituents and to ensure that state government is responsive to the needs of all its citizens.”
Humason noted that his hometown, Westfield, is known as the Whip City because of its history as the capital of the buggy whip manufacturing industry. “I can’t think of a more appropriate way to begin my Senate tenure than as the Minority Whip from the Whip City,” he said.
The Second Hampden and Hampshire district consists of the cities of Holyoke and Westfield, parts of the city of Chicopee, and the towns of Agawam, Easthampton, Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southampton, Southwick and Tolland.
Humason encourages his constituents to contact him at his Boston office, State House, Room 213A, at 617-722-1415 or his District Office at 64 Noble Street in Westfield at 413-568-1366. His email address is [email protected]. His website is DonHumason.org.
