John Velis receives a call from Massachusetts House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo after winning the Westfield State Representative seat during yesterday’s election in Westfield. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – Democrat John C. Velis won the election to represent Westfield in the state House of Representatives by a margin of more than 300 votes as residents turned out in far greater number than the preliminary election held in March.
Velis took 2.697 of the ballots cast, according to the unofficial results released by the City Clerk’s office, while his GOP opponent took 2,354 votes.
City residents voting to fill the house seat vacancy, created when former Rep. Don Humason was elected to the Senate in a special election, turned out for this special election, with 5,056 ballots cast (21.06 percent) out of the city’s 24,013 registered voters casting ballots.
Velis won the majority of votes in nine of the city’s 12 voting precincts, taking 1-B, 2-A, 2-B, 3-A, 3-B, 4-A, 4-B, 5-A, and 5-B, while Allie out polled Velis in precincts 1-A, 6-A and 6-B.
Following the announcement of the final tally Velis, from his School Street law office, took a moment to elaborate on the evening that was the culmination of months of campaigning and hard work.
Westfield State Rep. elect John Velis, center, is congratulated by Ralph Figy, right, moments after his win over Republican candidate Dan Allie. Velis celebrated his victory party at the Tavern Restaurant in Westfield. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
“I am so very humbled. I’ve knocked on thousands of doors, taken my message directly to the people of Westfield, how I’d only put Westfield first,” the 32-year old said. “Westfield put me first, and now I’m going to put Westfield first. I’ve said that, now it’s my job to fulfill what I said on the campaign trail.””
“I’m so very grateful to the people of Westfield, and I’m just very excited, because I know that there will come a time in the not-so-distant future when the people of Westfield will say they are proud that John Velis is their new State Rep,” he added.
Velis thanked his Republican opponent Dan Allie for a “very competitive race” and said that he’s looking forward to working with the last man to occupy his new seat.
“I look forward to working with (State Senator) Don Humason (R-Westfield) to do whatever is in the best interest of this great city that we call home,” he said.
Meanwhile, at East Mountain Country Club, the Allie campaign stood steadfastly behind their man even in defeat, and the candidate was able to reflect upon his campaign efforts.
“We’ve accomplished an awful lot. It’s been a real grassroots movement,” Allie said. “These people here tonight are not the political establishment, and I’m proud of everyone’s effort. We accomplished what we did with everyday people, not a political machine.”
“I just want to thank God for my family, friends, and these great volunteers. We’ve been working with kids during this campaign, from eighth-graders to high schoolers, encouraging them to get involved,” Allie said. “Young people today don’t trust either political party, the media, or the government, and they need to be involved.”
Westfield candidate for State Rep. Dan Allie, left, congratulates his opponent John Velis on last night’s victory for the State Rep. seat during a victory party for Velis at the Tavern Restaurant. Velis won the Westfield election by 343 votes. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Allie would neither confirm nor deny that he would be throwing his hat in the ring again in the fall when the seat goes up for grabs again.
“We’ve collected enough signatures to get on the ballot, and I know the deadline is coming up,” he said. “Now we’re just going to get some rest and spend time with family. It was a close race.”
Following the confirmation of their man’s victory, the Velis team and their legion of supporters congregated at The Tavern Restaurant, where city’s Democrats rejoiced, for there will once again be a “D” next to the city’s name on Beacon Hill.
“It’s definitely the first time since the House shrunk, and it’s definitely the first time that a Democrat has had the whole city,” said Rick Sullivan, former Westfield mayor and current Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. “And when you’re part of the majority caucus, he will be able to have direct conversations with the Speaker (Robert DeLeo). The Party’s in control and that’s important for being able to do whats important for Westfield.”
“This will certainly energize the party base, and we’re going to turn around, and there is going to be another election in November,” Sullivan said. “John’s literally going to have to start serving, and campaigning, tomorrow.”
Sullivan also touched on what he thought was one of the biggest factors in the Velis victory, namely his clean-cut campaign, which was in stark contrast to the negative, and some have said dirty, campaign tactics of the opposition.
“It says a lot about the kind of race that John ran. He ran a very positive campaign about putting Westfield first, regardless of party politics,” he said. “Obviously, with his background, certainly including his military service and his Bronze Star, it was a very positive campaign about doing good things for Westfield.”
In addition to the Velis victory, Democrats made a clean sweep in other special elections across Massachusetts held to fill vacant legislative seats.
Daniel Hunt yesterday won the 13th Suffolk House District seat formerly held by Boston Mayor Martin Walsh.
Daniel Joseph Ryan won the 2nd Suffolk House District.
No Republicans ran.
RoseLee Vincent won the race for the 16th Suffolk House District.
Jason Lewis won the election to fill the 5th Middlesex Senate seat vacated when Katherine Clark was elected to the U.S. House.
Evandro Carvalho won the Democratic primary for the 5th Suffolk House District seat vacated following the expulsion of former Rep. Carlos Henriquez after his conviction on assault charges.
All results are unofficial.
