WESTFIELD – State Sen. Donald F. Humason Jr., R-Westfield, has announced his candidacy for mayor of Westfield.
In January, Westfield Mayor Brian P. Sullivan decided not to seek a third term and Humason, 51, said that played a role in deciding to run for mayor after working in state government for 28 years.
“I want to thank Brian Sullivan for his service to our city as mayor and city councilor,” Humason said. “I was sorry to hear that he would not be running for re-election. That got me thinking about the position and serving my hometown in a new and different way other than as a state representative or state senator.”
Humason currently serves as the Assistant Senate Minority Leader in the Massachusetts State Senate. His Second Hampden and Hampshire District serves Easthampton, Southampton, Holyoke, Westfield, Agawam, Southwick, Granville, Tolland, Russell, Montgomery, and parts of Chicopee.
In November 2013, Humason was elected to the Senate in a special election to succeed former state senator Michael Knapik, also a Republican from Westfield. Before that, Humason was the state representative for the 4th Hampden District, representing Westfield from 2003 to 2013.
Humason’s work in state government includes four years as director of legislative affairs at the state office of health and services, chief of staff to Knapik from 1994 to 1998, and legislative aide to Knapik from 1991 to 1994.
Humason said that after hearing from a number of city residents urging him to take this step and discussing the campaign with his family he made the decision to become a candidate for mayor.
“I love Westfield. And I look forward to speaking with the City Councilors, School Committee members, and Gas & Electric Commissioners with whom I hope to work side by side for Westfield,” Humason said. “No person has all the answers. We govern best when we work collaboratively. There is nothing wrong with Westfield that what’s right with Westfield can’t fix.”
Among Humason’s stated priorities as mayor are promoting economic development and jobs, growing the tax base, continuing to improve the city infrastructure, providing transparency, information, and accountability to residents, and collaborating with city employees to best serve residents of Westfield.
Nominations papers for mayor become available next month and there will be a formal kickoff event for his campaign in April. Humason will continue his role as state senator while campaigning for mayor.
Luis Fieldman can be reached at lfieldman@gazettenet.com