In 2022, when Tara Jacobs first ran for the Governor’s Council I voted for her. She was the only female among the four candidates and I think it is important to encourage qualified women to run for statewide office. I liked that she’d been a library trustee as I was and I thought as the only candidate who was not a lawyer she’d bring a new perspective to the Governor’s Council. She was elected to the council and was asked to consider the confirmation of an extremely well-qualified person to the Supreme Judicial Court. It was then I realized I had made a mistake.
Because I personally knew the candidate for the SJC and was very familiar with her qualifications I called Councilor Jacobs and left a message saying that I would like to speak positively about this person’s qualifications. I never heard back. I think as a constituent I deserved a response if only to say thank you for your call.
Then she voted against the confirmation of the candidate based not on her qualifications which Councilor Jacobs admitted were outstanding, but on details of her personal life. It seems her lack of legal knowledge did not provide a new perspective as I had hoped, but instead it provided a completely wrong perspective. Fortunately Ms Jacobs’ colleagues on the Council supported the nomination.
I do not know Mike Fenton but I am very impressed by his experience both as a lawyer and a city councilor and I believe he would be an excellent addition to the Governor’s Council. I hope you will join me in voting for him in the Democratic primary on Sept 1.
Marjorie Hess
Northampton