SOUTHAMPTON — As election season draws nearer, state Rep. Kelly Pease says he is using his position to advocate for Westfield and Southampton, and says he would be “honored and humbled” to continue doing so for a third term as the 4th Hampden District’s state representative.

In one of just a few contested local elections this year, Pease, a Republican, will face a challenge from Democrat Bridget Matthews-Kane, a three-term city councilor from Westfield. Since 2020, the 4th Hampden District has represented Southampton residents.

“I’m hoping to do a few more terms,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of fire left in me.”

Pease, who grew up in Chester, said he has always had an interest in politics. But his road to the local political scene took him in many different directions.

After being “discovered” during a trip with his dance group at 9 years old, Pease, now 58, began a screen acting career that lasted until he entered his 20s. Upon departing the world of acting, he tried to become more involved in his local community, serving as a volunteer firefighter, a police officer, and ultimately becoming a member of the Chester Select Board at the age of 21.

Following his select board term, he decided to join the military, serving 20 years on active duty with the Army. At the conclusion of his military service, Pease worked for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Finally, after extensive military travel and three years spent living in Germany, he and his family decided it was time to settle down in Westfield. There, he jumped at the opportunity to run for a vacated state representative seat.

During that initial campaign, he said he remembers “knocking on thousands of doors” to introduce himself.

As state representative, Pease said he advocates for a “fiscally conservative” approach rather than “getting carried away with spending,” but has also pressed for funding in the areas that matter to his constituents.

“I stand for trying to get more money for roads, more money for schools,” he said. “Those are my top two priorities.”

On Beacon Hill, Pease has proposed several increases to funding for road infrastructure. When these increases were voted down, he called for roll-call votes, which he said documents the votes of his colleagues who choose to vote down the funding increases and “applies pressure” to the issue.

He was also an advocate for the $150 million increase in grant funding for various kinds of transportation projects that was introduced, as well as the Student Opportunity Act, which he noted produced a $309 million increase in Chapter 70 funding.

Aside from roads and schools, Pease’s additional areas of focus are advocating for the district’s senior population — especially those finding it difficult to stay in their homes due to rising property tax rates — and addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water.

“Those are my four big things that I try to advocate for,” he said. “I also try to get money for our communities.”

Pease emphasized that this past year, he coordinated funds to be set aside for communities in his district, including $50,000 to initiate a survey in Southampton regarding potential affordable housing development on the extra land surrounding the proposed site for a new public safety complex at 117-225 College Highway.

He noted that he also marked $150,000 for this safety complex site in the Economic Development Bond Bill, along with $200,000 for road work in Westfield and $50,000 for capital improvements to the Boys and Girls Club of greater Westfield.

“I always try to get us some extra money to help with projects and important issues,” he said. “Every little bit helps.”

In addition to his service in the House, Pease also sits on the Ways and Means Committee and the Joint Committees for Veterans and Federal Affairs, Education, and Higher Education.

“The biggest joy I get from this job is not just representing people but helping them,” he said.

Kelly Pease can be reached through his website at kellypease.org.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.