State Rep. for the Third Hampden District Nick Boldyga, front center, celebrates his win with his wife Jessica and his son Greyson, center right, during a victory party in Agawam last night. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Incumbent 3rd Hampden State Representative Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) claimed victory over challenger Sam Di Santi, an Agawam Democrat, just after 9 p.m. last night.
Boldyga took the majority of his hometown, defeating Di Santi 3,305 votes to 1,354 votes in Southwick.
At the time he made his victory speech from E.B.’s Restaurant in Agawam, Boldyga’s camp projected he was up in Agawam by 3,500 votes.
“Right now there is a problem with (Agawam’s) precinct seven, but I won in seven out of eight precincts, so far,” said Boldyga.
Boldyga indeed won all precincts, receiving 7,722 votes to Di Santi’s 5,827. In Granville, Boldyga received 645 votes while Di Santi received 222.
Boldyga said he was happy but exhausted following a full day of campaigning.
“We were out all day and were the last ones to leave – I had supporters at every polling place,” he said.
Boldyga said he plans to continue working for his constituents and voting for what is in their best interest, despite party affiliation.
“It doesn’t matter who puts a bill forward – Republican or Democrat – if it’s good for the community,” Boldyga said.
Sticking to the issues is something Boldyga said helped him win throughout the district, while Di Santi’s campaign focused on Boldyga’s affiliation with the ALEC organization and his work history.
“This isn’t my first campaign, but it was the most negative one,” Boldyga said, referring to his opponent’s attacks. “I’ve always touted what I want to do or what should be done differently. I don’t think negative attacks sit well with people. I focused on the issues and my positive record.”
Di Santi and his supporters were at Take Five restaurant in Agawam awaiting the results. Southwick resident Jack Sinico said he was there because Di Santi earned his vote.
“I think he would do a better job at the Statehouse (than Boldyga) and he would think for himself,” said Sinico.
The majority of Southwick voters supported Republican candidates during the election, with voters choosing Mitt Romney for president by 2,763 votes over President Barack Obama, who received 2,046 votes. Incumbent U.S. Senator Scott Brown also swept the vote in Southwick, with 3,158 votes to challenger Elizabeth Warren’s 1,728 votes. Southwick voters narrowly chose Republican Michael Franco over winner Democrat Michael Albano, and voted in favor of question one and three, but voted against question two. Question one received 1,3,24 yes votes and 591 no votes. Voters rejected question two with 2,343 votes in favor of doctor assisted suicide and 2,456 votes against it. There were 2,805 votes in favor of question three, and 1,880 against.
Southwick Town Clerk Michelle Hill said she was happy with voter turnout yesterday.
“I was hoping we would surpass 2008, and we did that at 7 p.m.,” said Hill.
In 2008, Southwick had a 71.9 percent voter turnout and by 7 p.m. last night, 73 percent of the town’s 6,500 registered voters had cast their ballots.
