John Cain with his daughter Colleen and wife Mikenzie. (Photo submitted)
SOUTHWICK – Southwick Republican John Cain, a candidate for U.S. Representative, running against Richard E. Neal, is considering running against state Rep. John C. Velis for the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire State Senate seat.
Velis announced last winter he would seek the seat currently occupied by Donald F. Humason Jr. if Humason was elected Westfield’s mayor. Humason was elected and will be sworn-in Jan. 6, 2020. Velis is the only candidate that has announced a campaign for Humason’s Senate seat, so far.
Cain said on Dec. 17 that he has been encouraged to take on Velis at the polls.
“I have been approached about this by many local leaders and citizens who feel they need a choice, but I have not made any decisions,” Cain said Tuesday. “I am truly humbled and honored by the overwhelming confidence that people have in me, encouraging me to seek out this opportunity to serve our community in the Massachusetts State Senate.”
Cain said he decided to run for Congress partly to provide a better future for his daughter Colleen, age 9.
“I decided to run for Congress because I know that now is the time to act,” he said. “If I do nothing, American values and American dreams will continue to deteriorate as a result of the ‘status quo.’ People of Western Mass. need a choice. I am the choice to succeed.”
Cain said he is consulting with his advisors on seeking a state seat rather than Congress.
“I am currently seeking out the input of my campaign staff, party leaders, and focusing primarily on the needs of the community in general to determine what is his best path to make a difference and serve Western Mass., my community since birth and the communities of my family for generations. I will be making my decision over the next week or two,” he said.
Cain is the owner of Cain’s Mechanical Inc. of Agawam.
According to Deb O’Malley, spokesperson for Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin’s election office, Cain can campaign for both offices, however, he would need to withdraw from one eventually.
“He can run for both and he would need to submit signatures (300 for state senate and 2,000 for Congress) but if he doesn’t withdraw from one by the state primary, his name would not appear on the ballot,” she said.
