STATE REP. DONALD HUMASON JR.
WESTFIELD – State Rep. Donald F. Humason (R-Westfield) plans to follow in the footsteps of State Sen. Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield).
Yesterday, after Knapik announced his plan to resign from his Senate post to take a position at Westfield State University (WSU), Humason said he was “definitely going to be running for his Senate seat.”
Humason was a legislative aide to Knapik when he was a representative. When Knapik was elected to the Senate, Humason served as his chief of staff before being elected representative in 2002.
“It would be a terrific opportunity,” said Humason. “I have represented Westfield over 10 years and worked in the district 20 years.”
The 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district includes Agawam, four precincts in Chicopee, Easthampton, Granville, Holyoke, Montgomery, Russell, Southampton, Southwick, Tolland and Westfield.
“I really love the district,” he said. “There are so many great communities.”
Senate President Therese Murray will set dates for a primary election and general election. Humason said once set, nomination papers will need to be taken out and signatures gathered. Humason said he has already begun to campaign.
“For me, campaigning is easy because I love to talk to people,” he said.
People are the reason he started a career in politics.
“I want to help people,” said Humason. “As a senator, I would be able to help more people.”
Humason praised Knapik’s service of more than two decades and said they have a lot in common. However, they don’t always agree.
“I think we are both hard-working and have integrity,” Humason said. “We agree on a lot of things but not everything.”
For example, Knapik voted in favor of the recent budget, which included a big tax hike, while Humason joined the majority of his Republican colleagues in voting against it. Usually a vocal critic of tax hikes, Knapik voted to override Gov. Deval Patrick’s veto of a $500 million tax-raising bill in part to ensure funding for investments in the district.
Humason said Knapik is well respected across the Commonwealth.
“I hope to continue what Senator Knapik has done,” Humason said.
Humason said he is excited about the opportunity to run for senate.
“It’s exciting and it’s a little scary,” he said. “It’s important to challenge yourself – and it’s good to know you have something to offer – and I believe I have the reputation of somebody who has integrity and works hard.”
Knapik has accepted the position of executive director of university advancement. According to WSU spokesperson Molly Watson, Knapik will receive an annual salary of $110,000. That’s the top of the salary range of $80,000 to $110,000 that was advertised for the position in April, Watson said. It’s $26,667 more than the $83,333 he earned as a legislator in 2012, according to state records.
Knapik will officially resign as senator this Friday.
