NORTHAMPTON — The House seat left vacant by last month’s death of Rep. Peter Kocot, D-Northampton, will not be filled until the November election.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who has the authority to schedule special elections, opted against having one for the First Hampshire District that includes Northampton, Hatfield, Southampton, Westhampton and Montgomery.
Whitney Ferguson, chief of staff for DeLeo, said in an email that the speaker has decided not to set a date for a special election for the district, but didn’t elaborate on the reasoning.
“We will not be having any more special elections,” Ferguson said.
The announcement didn’t surprise the two announced Democratic candidates vying to replace Kocot in the First Hampshire District, Ryan O’Donnell of Northampton, president of the Northampton City Council, and Diana Szynal of Hatfield, the district director for Kocot for the past 16 years.
“I kind of prefer it,” Szynal said, adding that it was the right decision by DeLeo. “That way it gives Ryan and I time to do thoughtful campaigns.”
But O’Donnell said not having a new representative sworn in until January 2019 is difficult for
“I think it’s obviously not ideal to not have a representative for 10 months. I think everyone will agree on that,” O’Donnell said.
Still, he said, squeezing in a special election during an election year would have been challenging, and it will allow more time for debate between candidates and discussions about what’s important for the district.
O’Donnell said the regional delegation, which includes Sen. Stanley Rosenberg, whose district includes Northampton, would continue to support the needs of the communities.
“The philosophy I will take to the Statehouse is the whole legislative delegation has to work together as a region,” O’Donnell said, adding that the district cares about a strong, progressive policy agenda.
Szynal said she will remain as district director until the seat is filled and will be available to meet the needs of constituents.
“We’re still here and will keep plugging along,” Szynal said. “I was swamped today. I’m still busy.”
She said anyone is welcome to call Kocot’s district office anytime at 582-6111.
Those in Boston who staff the Joint Committee on Health Care, which Kocot chaired, will continue to do their work, as well, Szynal said.
Szynal said she is confident other local legislators will file legislation on behalf of the First Hampshire District, as needed.
She said she will only do campaigning when she is not working as district director.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
