TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 3
October 10, 2019 - November 6, 2019
Holyoke Mayor challenges 30-year incumbent for 1st Congressional seat Openly gay Mayor, Alex Morse, says he’s challenging “status quo” by running against Congressman Richard Neal By:Mike Givens TRT Assistant Editor
IN THE LIMELIGHT
HOLYOKE, Mass—Holyoke, Massachusetts Mayor Alex Morse has challenged incumbent Representative Richard Neal for the congressional seat representing western Massachusetts. Morse, citing his opinion that Neal has become ineffective in his current role, claims that the congressman’s tenure has been too focused on insider politics and power-grabbing in Washington D.C. rather than serving the constituents of western Massachusetts. “When you listen to people talk about their daily struggles and challenges, it’s been very hard for people to make a connection between a powerful member of Congress and how that’s made a difference in their lives or in their neighborhoods or in the communities,” Morse said of Neal’s leadership. “I want to be a member of Congress that is less concerned about building seniority and years in office and being more concerned with whether I am making a difference on the ground in peoples’ lives.” In response to Morse’s attacks, Neal countered with his contention that his
tenure is what’s necessary to effectively move the nation forward. “Seniority, experience, and knowledge of the legislative process are all critical in order to deliver for [the] district,” Neal said in an e-mail interview with The Rainbow Times. “An experienced and knowledgeable legislator is crucial to craft, advocate, and pass policies that help people in this district and across the country. “For example, I helped write the Affordable Care Act. I’m authoring legislation that will save pensions for millions of our brothers and sisters in organized labor, lower prescription drug costs and so much more that will bring about economic relief for working and middle class families. It was because of my experience and knowledge that I was able to deliver millions of dollars to turn Springfield’s Union Station into a state-of-the-art regional transit hub, bring in $12 million in fire grants to make our communities safer, and secure over $40 million in the House budget for infrastructure updates at Westover Air Force Base.” Reviving the American Dream Located in the western half of Massachusetts, the 1st Congressional District encompasses 87 cities and towns and touches five counties (https://is.gd/SDuRUK). As of the 2010 census, the district has a population of more than 700,000 (https://is.gd/rfh-
PHOTO: CAMPAIGN TO RE-ELECT RICHARD NEAL
Congressman Richard Neal at the Puerto Rican Parade in Springfield in past years
dRm). Born in Worcester and raised in Springfield, Neal, 70, began his political career in 1972 when he staffed the gubernatorial campaign of George McGovern. In 1988, he successfully ran to be the state representative of the 2nd Congressional District of Massachusetts, which largely comprised central Massachusetts.
In 2012, the 1st and 2nd districts of Massachusetts were altered to reflect the results of the 2010 census. Neal would serve 12 terms as the representative of the 2nd District from 1988 to 2012. After the redistricting process in 2012, he ran for the new 1st Congressional District, which encompasses
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