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Nuciforo Bus Tour Kicks Off Campaign |
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By Joe Durwin On: 01:16PM / Thursday February 09, 2012 |
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Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. formally kicked off his run for Congress on Wednesday with a bus tour through the 1st Mass district and a rally in Pittsfield. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Former state senator and U.S. House hopeful Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. at long last "formally" declared his candidacy for the 1st Massachusetts District in a five-stop, nearly 12-hour tour that began in Holyoke on Wednesday morning.
The candidate's excursion ended in his hometown of Pittsfield with the bus rolling up to Mazzeo's North just before 6:30, where a crowd of about a 100 people gathered to hear what he had to say.
In his address there, Nuciforo appealled to supporters as the candidate of "middle and working class people," in a speech centered around popular national themes of economic strife and general disatisfactions with Congress.
"The economy has been rigged against ordinary people ... Washington politicians of both parties have allowed a few individuals and corporations to increase their wealth and political power at the expense of everyone else."
"We need a break from the past, and a new set of eyes to look at things differently."
Nuciforo, currently Middle Berkshire register of deeds, listed key elderly issues as one of his top priorities, and pledged support to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and the Veterans Administration.
"I will fight any effort to defund or privatize or blow up or compromise any of these important programs," said the aspiring congressman, who has drawn fire in the past for the level of funding received from insurance companies and a perceived pro-insurance stance in past legislative issues.
Secondly he called for a closer examination of the 2008 economic collapse.
"We need accountability for those, both in Washington and on Wall Street, that drove this economy into a ditch in 2008. We need to understand what happened: the deregulation of the financial market, the big influence of big money on Washington. We need to understand precisely what happened and who made that happen."
Corporate money and anti-incumbent sentiments have been a major theme for both of the Berkshire-based Democratic contenders for the redrawn 1st Massachusetts District, in a race that will pit them against 10-term U.S. Rep. Richard Neal of Springfield, whose popular base and funding currently far exceeds that of the other candidates.
Bill Shein, who announced in mid-January he will also seek the congressional seat, questioned the former state senator's credibility as the best voice for these issues.
"We're not going to make real progress on jobs, economic fairness, or any other pressing issue by replacing one typical politician with another typical politician," he said.
Shein said in a statement that he has been consistently advocating for years the kind of political change that Nuciforo has invoked in his opening campaign speeches.
"As a candidate for Congress I continue to say precisely the same things and promote the same ideas I always have. I didn't craft a new message or political persona to fit the public mood. Because that’s old way of politics, and we need a new way."
Several proponents of Richard Neal in attendance at Wednesday's Nuciforo campaign rally expressed similar sentiments to iBerkshires, saying that while they thought that both of the Berkshire challengers have raised points they agree with, Neal offers the kind of experience in national and international matters and political ability that will be needed if real legislative change is to move forward.
Neal supporters pointed to various organizations' rating systems to suggest that Neal is among the more "progressive" of the current crop of incumbent legislators. Various groups and scaling systems have rated Neal as anywhere from 47 percent to 95 percent.
The Democratic nominee will be decided in a Sept. 6 party primary held on the unusual day of Thursday.
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Former City Clerk Trying for Register of Deeds |
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Staff Reports On: 10:24PM / Tuesday February 07, 2012 |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Former Pittsfield City Clerk Jody Phillips will to take out nomination papers on Wednesday, Feb. 8, for register of deeds for the Berkshire Middle District.
"With my background as the former city clerk and work in law firms, I understand the importance of the register's position and I believe I would bring a unique and valuable skill set to that office," said Phillips in a statement announcing her run. "On a personal note, I am looking forward to the opportunity to return to public service, something which I truly enjoyed."
Current Register Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. is running for Congress this year.
Phillips left office in 2008 to join General Dynamics, where she has been employed since 2009. She flirted with the idea of challenging her replacement, Linda Tyer, in 2009 but backed out at the last minute.
She said she is well suited for the post of register because of her municipal and business experience.
"I believe that I am a great fit for this job. Over the next months, I look forward to going door to door and doing the work necessary so that the voters believe that as well," said Phillips.
She expects to take out nomination papers from the Voters Office in City Hall at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Middle District encompasses Pittsfield, Becket, Dalton, Hinsdale, Lee, Lenox, Otis, Peru, Richmond, Stockbridge, Tyringham and Washington, with its offices in Pittsfield.
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Berkshire Congressional Candidates On Campaign Trail |
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By Joe Durwin On: 09:36PM / Monday February 06, 2012 |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County's two Democratic challengers to Springfield incumbent U.S. Rep. Richard Neal are diving actively into the 2012 contest for the newly redrawn 1st Massachusetts District.
Pittsfield's Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. and Alford's Bill Shein have both been keeping busy as they launch efforts to raise their profile around Western Massachusett's newly redrawn district of 82 towns and cities.
Shein, a writer, humorist and seasoned campaign veteran, has made public and media appearances in North Adams, Westfield, Springfield, Pittsfield and Great Barrington in the past week.
Nuciforo, a former state senator, whose intent to run has been commonly known since 2009, will finally formally announce candidacy this week, according to his campaign. The current Central Berkshire register of deeds has invited supporters and press to a bus tour series of press conferences in Holyoke, Southbridge, Easthampton, Charlemont and Pittsfield this Wednesday.
According to an email appeal from his campaign Friday, Nuciforo hoped to raise an additional $15,000 in small donations in advance of Wednesday's bus tour. The Pittsfield native had $155,256 in funds at the end of September, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Election Commission.
Neal, by contrast, entered 2012 with a war chest of some $2.45 million, according to a report in The Republican.
Campaign funding has been one of the dominant issues in the race thus far. At a rally in Pittsfield last month, Nuciforo decried "corporate domination" and the "Washington status quo," in comments indirectly aimed at the 12-term congressman from Springfield. In a Jan. 18 statement, the candidate called for an end to Super PACs and adoption of public election funding.
Shein, however, suggests that both of his opponents will have a hard time claiming independence from corporate influence in this year's race.
The political activist points out that while a state senator, Nuciforo voted to repeal the Massachusetts' Clean Elections law, and received significant funding from PACs and lobbyists
"I'm thrilled that he's finally getting on board with getting the corporate money out of our democracy," Shein told iBerkshires, then described Nuciforo's anti-PAC statement as an one "early victory" for his campaign, coming just the day following Shein announcing his run.
As part of his platform, Shein has said he will not accept campaign contributions greater than $99.
For his part, Neal keeps insisting he's not thinking about the politics of this year's election (he hasn't updated his campaign site), though he has been engaging in a whirlwind schedule of exploratory visits outside of his current 2nd Mass district to some of the Western Massachusetts towns with which his native Springfield will be joined in 2013. While reticent to talk campaigning issues, Neal has stated on several occasions that his financial contributions do not influence his vote on issues in the House.
The Democratic nominee will be decided in a Sept. 6 party primary held on the unusual day of Thursday.
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Nuciforo Making District Tour to Announce for House |
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On: 06:28PM / Friday February 03, 2012 |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. will formally announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for U.S. House of Representatives in the newly-drawn 1st Massachusetts District during a tour of the district next week.
The tour takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 8, with the first press conference at 9:15 in Holyoke.
The Central Berkshire register of deeds and former Pittsfield state senator announced his intention to run for the House seat more than two years ago.
The new district encompasses most of far Western Massaschusetts, including the Berkshires, and the Springfield area. Current U.S. Rep. John W. Olver of Amherst will retire at the end of this term.
Nuciforo, along with friends, family, and supporters, will start the day in Pittsfield, and travel to Holyoke, Southbridge, Easthampton and Charlemont for formal press conferences. The tour will wind up with a campaign kick-off rally and party at the Winter Street Mazzeo's Ristorante in his hometown of Pittsfield.
The schedule:
- 9:15 a.m.: Mill 1 Open Square, Open Square Way, Holyoke
- 11:30 a.m.: Pilsudski Polish American Citizens Club, 18 Ballard Court, Southbridge
- 2 p.m.: Sunrise Manor Community Room, 17 Paradise Drive, Easthampton
- 4:15 p.m.: Warfield House Inn, 200 Warfield Road, Charlemont
- 6:30 p.m.: Campaign Rally, Party and Press Conference, Mazzeo's Ristorante, 7 Winter St., Pittsfield
The public and press are invited to attend all events.
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North Adams Democrats Host Candidate Shein |
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On: 09:51AM / Tuesday January 31, 2012 |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Democratic City Committee will host Democratic congressional candidate Bill Shein on Friday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 at the Freight Yard Pub.
Northern Berkshire Democrats and independent voters are invited to attend. Shein will address the gathering, which will also feature greetings from guests and city committee members.
Shein, of Alford, is a syndicated humor/political columnist and political activist. He recently announced his candidacy for the newly redrawn and consolidated 1st Massachusetts District seat.
Also, Greg Maynard, Western Massachusetts coordinator for U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, will speak on her behalf.
North Adams ward chairs are Lisa Blackmer, Joanne DeRose, Diane Parsons, Greg Roach and Frances Buckley.
This will be an opportunity for North County voters to gather information and to become active in specific campaigns or in the local Democratic party.
Refreshments will be provided for a nominal charge.
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 State Election
Tuesday, Nov. 4
Voting is from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Deadline to register or change party affiliation was Oct.15.
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Candidates on the ballot in races for state office; all others on the ballot are unopposed. Links will take you to their campaign websites.
U.S. Senator
• Edward J. Markey, Democrat
• Brian J. Herr, Republican
Governor/Lieutenant Governor
• Charlie Baker & Karyn Polito, Republican
• Martha Coakley & Stephen Kerrigan, Democrat
• Evan Falchuk & Angus Jennings, United Independent Party
• Scott Lively & Shelly Saunders, Independent
• Jeff McCormick & Tracy Post, Independent
Attorney General
• Maura Healey, Democratic
• John B. Miller, Republican
Secretary of State
• William Francis Galvin, Democratic
• David D'Arcangelo, Republican
• Daniel L. Factor, Green-Rainbow
Treasurer
• Deborah B. Goldberg, Democratic
• Michael James Heffernan, Republican
• Ian T. Jackson, Green-Rainbow
Auditor
• Suzanne M. Bump, Democratic
• Patricia S. Saint Aubin, Republican
• MK Merelice, Green-Rainbow
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Municipal Elections
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The cities of Pittsfield and North Adams will hold municipal elections for mayor, city council and school committee in 2015
You may vote absentee: if you will be absent from your town or city on election day, have a physical disability that prevents you from voting at the polls or cannot vote at the polls because to religious beliefs.
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2010 Special Senate Election Results
Election 2009 Stories
Election Day 2008
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