The Massachusetts State Primary election is coming up tomorrow (or today depending on when you are reading this), and unfortunately there isn’t a whole lot of exciting races on the ballot this year, mainly on the Democratic ballot. I was disappointed to see the Democratic Governors race be uncontested as I feel we could use some real contest there, and there are a lot of uncontested races at the local level for State Representative and State Senator.
However, for Berkshire County there are three races (four if you are in the 1st Berkshire House District) that are contested on the Democratic ballot. Here is who I will be voting for in those races:
Senator in Congress: Edward Markey
This one felt like a no brainer to me. Senator Markey has done a lot of good stuff for Massachusetts, including Berkshire County. He’s very progressive, and in this time and age the Democratic Party needs to be pushing for more bold visions and ideas to combat what we are currently seeing and doing at the national level, bland centristism is not going to get us anywhere.
I do agree with some people that Senator Markey’s age is a liability, as he is currently 80 years old. While I would love to see someone younger in his role, age is not my sole deciding factor. His opponent, Seth Moulton, doesn’t bring a lot to the table that Markey hasn’t already brought forward. Plus Markey doesn’t throw parts of his constituents under the bus when its politically convenient, then flip flopping when its no longer politically convenient (I will never forget Moulton’s remarks on transgender people in sports after the 2024 election).
Representative in Congress: Jeromie Whalen
This one was the tricker one for me and I was still undecided even a few days ago. Really the reason why I’m voting with Whalen comes down to this: I’ve been disappointed in the Democratic party, especially in Congress, when it comes to opposing the Trump administration. They aren’t fighting back enough, we need more pushback and willingness to bend the rules like the Republicans are doing right now.
While I like a lot of the things Representative Neal has done for the area, in particular for MCLA, BCC, and the City of Pittsfield, I think it is a time for a change. The only way to change the Democratic party is to elect new Democrats, and I think Whalen brings a lot to the table in that regard.
He is a former teacher, so he is education orientated. He is progressive and brings progressive values forward, like Markey. And he will bring a fresh perspective to the table willing to fight for Western Massachusetts. Plus he supports Medicare for All, which after dabbing my toes into our broken healthcare system is much needed because our current system is way too broken and unfair.
I don’t think Representative Neal is necessary a bad person, but change is not going to happen if you keep electing the same people over and over again to office. If we want to win back all three chambers of government in 2028, we will need new ideas and new voices.
Councilor: Tara Jacobs
This one is also a no brainer. Living in Berkshire County, Jacobs helps to represent Berkshire County and the other counties of her district on the Governor’s Council. She has kept her constituents informed on what is going on the Council by holding constituent meetings and hearings in her district. And she has helped to bring much more awareness to this public body in Berkshire County than her predecessors ever had.
Her opponent, Michael Fenton, lives in Springfield and claims to want to help represent Berkshire County more, but I doubt it. Why would someone from Springfield be able to represent Berkshire County more than someone who actually lives in Berkshire County? This is why I feel the DA’s and Sherriff’s critiques of Jacobs rings hollow, because we would be giving up a major seat at the table to someone who is most likely just going to represent the Springfield area the whole time. Their critiques is actually more of a reason to vote for Jacobs, as she does her research and doesn’t just go with what the Governor or the DA wants for judges or on the parole board, she goes with who will serve Massachusetts residents the best.
(Bonus) 1st Berkshire House District: Andrew Fitch
Unfortunately, I don’t live in the 1st Berkshire district, if I did I would be voting for Andrew Fitch.
A lot of it is the same reasons why I am voting for Whalen over Neal, more progressive and more younger. I think Fitch would bring a fresher perspective for the Northern Berkshire area to the State House over John Barrett, who has been in North Adams politics for decades. Additionally, being as a former MCLA student, I feel having someone with a fresh voice representing the district the college resides in would greatly benefit the college and its students in getting more state funding and support.