WESTFIELD–For state Sen. Don Humason R-Westfield, he chose to run for office to help people.
And after Election Day, he hopes to continue to do that for the residents of the second Hampden and Hampshire districts.
Humason, who is running for re-election, promised to continue to be a steady and stable option, which he said includes a 100 percent voting record and unwavering political beliefs. This stability also includes continuing to work for the cities and towns he serves, which he believes are at times under-served by officials in Boston.
Sen. Don Humason
“I look to try to do things in my job as state senator to support these cities with things like business development, education, services for our veterans and those disabled,” Humason said. “My priorities are economic development, infrastructure, public safety, education and to provide for our seniors.”
In order to do this for Westfield, Southwick, Granville and other smaller towns in the area, Humason said that he will continue to write legislation to give smaller cities and towns a baseline amount of money each year.
Humason said that this will help because each year, cities like Westfield are waiting for a state-wide budget to be passed and are at the whims of those deciding how much each municipality will receive before they can finalize their own budgets.
“Every year, at the very least we will set a floor for local aid so they can build from that base,” Humason said. “If they get more money great, but at least they have the floor it helps our partners in local governments.”
Regarding infrastructure, Humason said that he wants to continue to have investments from the state into local roads and bridges, in order to alleviate some of the frustration and repairs cities and towns have to bear.
“We are an old state. Massachusetts roads and bridges and sidewalks and culverts are often in a state of disrepair,” Humason said.
With money coming from the state, the cities and towns in his district would be able to afford the repairs that are often needed but overlooked due to budgetary concerns.
In addition to these local issues, Humason also wants to continue to focus on national issues that have impacted the state, like gun control.
“I am a strong, strong supporter of the Second Amendment,” Humason said. “The district I serve has among the highest number of gun owners in the state.”
Humason said that if he is re-elected, one of the first actions he will take is to re-file legislation regarding protection of gun owners in the state. This is in reaction of Attorney General Maura Healey’s “copycat” assault weapons crackdown that was imposed earlier this year.
Humason believes he can do all of this and more because of the experience and the relationships he has built since he began his political career in 1991.
“I have the connections, I have the seniority, it’s sort of a natural benefit,” he said.
Humason also said that this connection goes beyond republicans in the state.
“One of the things I do think is important–which I do have and I’m proud of this–I have a very good relationship with democratic mayors and representatives in the district,” Humason said.
For Humason, this may be the most defining reason to re-elect him this Tuesday.
