State Rep. Stephen Kulik’s endorsement Thursday of Natalie Blais in the Democratic primary race to be his successor was met with quick and sharp rebukes from some of the other six contenders for the 1st Franklin District House seat.
The 25-year veteran legislator, in announcing his decision last February not to seek re-election, had said he had no plans to endorse anyone but left open the possibility that he might change his mind.
In endorsing Blais Thursday as an “outstanding” candidate, the Worthington Democrat said he’s been asked by many constituents in the 19-town district whom he would support in a field of hopefuls, many of whom have sounded very similar progressive positions on the key issues. He said he has watched the debates and forums, studied candidate websites, and talked with “hundreds” of voters.
“Having sat in that seat for 25 years, and worked with hundreds of legislators and seeing who does the job well and who doesn’t do it so well, I thought it would be useful for people to know what I thought,” said Kulik.
But his statement of support, which came along with a separate endorsement from Kulik’s predecessor, former 1st Franklin Rep. Jonathan Healy of Charlemont, was met with immediate criticism from the candidate Casey Pease of Worthington.
“It’s undeniable that Blais is the old guard, establishment favorite in this race,” said the 22-year-old candidate in a written reaction. “But Steve Kulik’s retirement represents a generational change — and the people of this district want a bold new generation.”
His campaign manager, Stephanie Slysz added, “The news is not surprising even if it is troubling. Part of being a progressive is being bold enough to personally invest in our public schools and support Medicare for All without prompting. Natalie Blais has done neither.”
Candidate Francia Wisnewski of Montague also issued a written statement Thursday, pointing to a published comment by Kulik from April that he would be staying out of the primary and leaving it to voters to decide for themselves.
Because there will be no Republican on the ballot for the seat in the November general election, winning the Sept. 4 Democratic primary is tantamount to winning the seat.
“I am surprised and disappointed that he seems to have decided not to trust the voters after all,” Wisnewski added. “With all due respect to Steve Kulik and his many years of service to our district, this race is about the future of the 1st Franklin, not the past.”
Kulik’s Facebook page, where he announced his endorsement of Blais as “one candidate who stands above the others for having the professional experience, leadership skills and dedication to public service that would make her an outstanding legislator,” had several comments which Kulik said were from Pease relatives and campaign workers, including campaign Chair Cory Bisbee.
Several of the criticisms took aim at Kulik for weighing in on the race, while others criticized Blais for serving on the board of Amherst Montessori School.
Other hopefuls were invited to respond.
Candidate Kate Albright-Hanna of Huntington said she was surprised that Kulik had “chosen to use the power of incumbency to anoint his successor. The 1st Franklin District has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to choose a bold progressive who will fight for single-payer health care, for fully funding our public schools, and for reversing climate change — three priorities that have been put on the back burner for years. Do we really want more of the same double-speak, waffling and lack of transparency? I believe we can do better.”
Candidate Jonathan Edwards of Whately said, “My campaign and supporters are focused on a message that experience matters and that the status quo is not working for the 1st Franklin District. My campaign is not focused on other candidates being endorsed by any individual or organization.”
Candidate Nathaniel Waring of Sunderland said, “I’m shocked and saddened by Representative Kulik’s decision to go against his prior statements that he would not endorse a candidate before the primary. It is already a morally questionable decision for a sitting elected official to endorse one candidate among many to replace themselves, but doubly so given these circumstances and the fact that neither myself nor at least one of my competitors have been able to meet with Rep. Kulik, despite having reached out to his office to that end. … We must all ask ourselves, are we happy with more of the same, or do we want REAL progressive change in the commonwealth.”
Candidate Christine Doktor did not submit a reaction.
Blais also declined to comment.
Kulik said he reserves the right to change his mind and that he was surprised at the harsh reaction from Pease. He added that Pease was the only candidate aside from Blais who’d specifically asked for his endorsement. But he declined further comment.
In explaining his endorsement Thursday, in addition to Blais’s experience, he said, “It’s all about relationships. Knowing Natalie and working with her, as I have over 10 years, I’ve seen her bring people together, have fruitful discussions, be flexible when you need to be.”
“She understands how public policy and politics intersect and how they can result in really great things. That being part of her personality will make her a great rep. …. She’s the person I want to represent me, going forward.”