WESTFIELD – U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal is seeking re-election to the 1st Congressional District in the Sept. 1 Primary Election and spoke to city voters this week about why he deserves their votes.
The veteran senator, a moderate Democrat, is facing Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, a progressive. Both candidates were interviewed separately by Harry Rock, host of “Rock on, Westfield” on Westfield’s Community Programming Channel 15 and WSKB radio.
Neal was first elected to congress in 1988. He was Springfield’s mayor at the time and was previously a representative of the 2nd District, a Springfield City Council member and a high school teacher. Born in Worcester, Neal was raised in Springfield. When his parents died when he was a young teenager, he and his two younger sisters were raised by his grandmother and aunt who lived mainly on social security.
This upbringing influenced Neal’s stance on medicare and social security, of which he is a strong supporter. “There has not been a more ardent supporter of social security than I have [been],” he said.
During his interview with Rock, Neal did not directly address his opponent or mention him by name, but did make several comments alluding to a response to statements made by Morse. Neal told Rock he did not believe anyone could say he has been “ineffective and lazy” in Washington D.C. and he has used his position as the House Ways and Means chair to benefit his district.
Neal specifically touted his efforts in the Greater Westfield area. He spoke of PFAS funding, securing money for Barnes Regional Airport, Baystate Noble Hospital funding and his visits to city high schools.
When asked about Political Action Committee (PAC) dollars that he receives from corporations, Neal said they are not buying him.
“They buy into my agenda, I don’t buy into theirs,” he said.
Neal said much of his PAC donations help him recruit members of Congress. “I raised $13 million in two election cycles to get a Democratic majority,” he said.
Neal said he has received longtime support from the AFL-CIO, United Food & Commercial Workers Union and said “virtually every labor union in America” supports him. “No one has ever doubted my commitment to working men and working women.”
Rock said this is a turbulent time in America. Between COVID-19, racial tensions, political strife, there is much happening as Neal seeks re-election. He asked Neal about getting past the gridlock.
“We’re living 1918, 1928 and 1968 all at once,” Neal said. “We’ve moved big legislation and done it with unanimity.”
Neal said he has traveled to Canada and Mexico to meet with those country’s presidents to work together on these issues and he continues to advocate for medicare and social security. Neal helped write the CARES Act and said he will continue to make strides toward universal healthcare.
“I think the goal of universal healthcare should be front and center, and how we get there should be a mix,” he said.
When asked about his position on the environment and Green Energy Act, Neal said he is doing his part and spoke about his support of tax incentives, saying he believes they will help “bring about the decline of fossil fuels.”
Neal said he has not forgotten where he came from and he works for all 87 communities of the district.
“My life has been a steep climb,” he said. “I was raised by an aunt and my grandmother. It was the benefits of Mr. Roosevelt’s social security program that allowed us to live as a family. I understand what the safety net means, but I also understand aspirations and opportunity.
“I still think the great part about America is getting people to the starting line and getting people a good education, which is the best poverty program. I think I’ve lived out the American aspirations and nobody has ever said ‘ineffective’.”
