Three Democratic candidates are running to replace Jose Tosado for the position of state representative for the 9th Hampden District, which includes wards in Springfield and Chicopee.        

The candidates include Springfield School Committee member Denise Hurst, Springfield City Councilor Orlando Ramos and Sean Mullan.

The winner of the primary election on Sept. 1 would then face independent candidate Robert Underwood.

Reminder Publishing posed the same three questions to each candidate and asked for a short biography. 

Denise Hurst

Denise (Estrada-Rosemond) Hurst is a graduate of UMass Amherst, and Springfield College School of Social Work.

Since 2009, Hurst has served as an elected member of the Springfield School Committee.                           She is currently the vice president of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.

With a career defined by community engagement, Hurst has been a policymaker and legislative advocate at the local, state and federal levels. Hurst’s path began as a social worker and clinician, ultimately rising to area director within the state Department of Mental Health.

In 2016, Hurst was appointed by State Treasurer Deb Goldberg as regional manager of the Massachusetts State Lottery in Western Massachusetts.

Hurst currently serves as vice president of Advancement and External Affairs at Springfield Technical Community College.

Hurst is a graduate of Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact, Women’s Fund of

Western Massachusetts, and a graduate of the 62nd Citizens’ Legislative Seminar, Massachusetts Senate.

Most recently Hurst was named 2019 Woman of the Year by the Professional Women's Chamber.

What are the issues voters are telling you about?

First and foremost, voters are concerned for their health and safety and for their loved ones due to the ever changing dynamics of the virus. Many have expressed concerns for the isolation the elderly are enduring, the mental health and substance use concerns, specifically for those already at risk, and for the social isolation fatigue being experienced by children and adults.

Voters have shared frustration about the rise in their utility bills and their property taxes, as well as the stability of their housing and the ability to pay their rent or mortgage due to reduced work hours and/or layoffs. There are also others who are concerned about having to make the decision to continue to go to work in order to eat, clothe and shelter themselves and their families, because they or a family member are at risk with pre-existing medical conditions. Furthermore, working in places that are not providing safeguards, such as PPE.

I have also had robust conversations with voters during my phone banks about drug control, police brutality, social justice concerns, affordable higher education and the viability of East-West Rail.

More recently, my engagement with voters has yielded many conversations around the safe reopening of schools. Balancing the need for children to attain an education, with their risk and the risk of teachers and staff, contracting the virus. As well as, concerns for recognizing school as a family’s primary source of childcare and not returning to school could leave families scrambling to find safe care for their children while they work.

How would you address additional COVID-19 support to small businesses in the district?

 Small businesses are the backbone of this region. I would fight to ensure small businesses had access to funding for adequate PPE, as well as grant/relief/stimulus funding to supplement the costs associated with providing benefits to employees who are impacted by the coronavirus.

I would advocate for expanding grant funding access and low interest loans to small businesses, as well as providing incentives for the creation of new businesses and for employment opportunities. I would work in collaboration with our local municipal governments to ensure a comprehensive model of support, sustainability and thriving economic development.

 What is motivating you to run for this seat at this time?

I have made the decision to run for state representative because I understand firsthand how important it is to have sound, effective and equitable policies. I have the desire, interest and skill of being a good listener. I have the personal and professional experiences to be a good advocate and fight for our welfare and I am invested personally in improving our quality of life, especially for our future generation, which includes my two sons.

For nearly 20 years, I have worked in the public sector, primarily as a social worker addressing child protection, mental health and substance use. I was elected to the Springfield School Committee in 2009 and currently serve as the VP of the Mass. Association of School Committees. Through my various board service and community engagement, I have been able to advocate for important pieces of legislation locally, statewide and nationally.

I worked tirelessly on the Gender Pay Equity bill as a commissioner on the Status of Women, as well as the Healthy Youth bill. Furthermore, I helped to lead the enactment of the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.

If elected, I will serve the 9th Hampden District as the first woman to ever hold this seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Orlando Ramos

Born and raised in Springfield, Orlando Ramos is a carpenter by trade, and a loving father to his daughter Ariana. Over the years he has demonstrated his passion and commitment to public service. He is a four term councilman; two-term council president; and he is currently the chairman of Public Safety. Ramos also has a decade of State House experience where he previously worked for the Massachusetts State Legislature.

What are the issues voters are telling you about?

Just like most people across the country, the voters in the 9th Hampden District have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have lost loved ones; many, including myself, have lost their jobs. Small businesses have had to shutter their doors and lay-off employees; and families have had to make sacrifices.

People are worried about the health risks associated with going back to work and back to school; and they worry about how they will be financially impacted if they are unable to do either.  

In addition to the pandemic, police accountability has been a frequent topic that the voters are talking about. People in my district are concerned with how they, their friends and family members have been historically treated by law enforcement officials. People are demanding change when it comes to police accountability.

How would you address additional COVID-19 support to small businesses in the district?

I believe that there are three phases to government’s response to this pandemic; 1) Response, 2) Recovery, and 3) Resiliency. When it comes to small businesses, I have a plan for all three phases.

Response: As city councilor, I supported the city’s “Prime the Pump” initiative which is now in it’s fourth round of applications and has provided $1.5 million to local employers impacted by the pandemic.

Recovery: As state representative, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the Commonwealth fully funds small businesses to recover from the effects of COVID; especially those looking to rehire their employees.

Resiliency: As State Representative, I will ensure that small businesses have access to PPE in order to keep workplaces safe; and that the Commonwealth proactively creates a plan to allocate aid much quicker in the event of a future pandemic.

 What is motivating you to run for this seat at this time?

As a four-term city councilor and two-term council president, I am aware of the many COVID-related challenges currently facing cities and towns across Western Massachusetts. Although there is more work to do, many of the policies I have authored and supported here in Springfield have contributed to a steady decline in COVID-19 cases.

With so much uncertainty ahead of us, now more than ever, it is critical that we elect experienced leadership to ensure success for Springfield and Chicopee in navigating this unpredictable pandemic. Having worked in the State House for a decade, I am ready to go to Boston and get to work on dayone. I believe I am the only choice for effective, efficient, and experienced leadership in this election. Now is not the time for “on the job training.” I am the only candidate ready to go to work for the 9th Hampden District on day one. 

Sean Mullan

I was born and raised in the 9th Hampden District in Springfield to Drs. Mark and Sara Mullan. I attended Our Lady of Hope School, received a BA in political science from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, studied at Oxford University, and completed an MEd from Elms College in Chicopee.

I’ve worked at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield for the past five years while actively engaging in local and state politics. I was elected chair of the Springfield Ward 2 Democratic Committee in 2017 and have been involved in local Democratic campaigns. I am also a regular volunteer at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ warehouse in Hatfield. 

What are the issues voters are telling you about?

Voters are primarily concerned about the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, which is affecting all aspects of their lives. Everything from employment to education has been impacted, and we have not received much advanced guidance from government as to what is happening.

How would you address additional COVID-19 support to small businesses in the district?

I support tax abatements and regulatory relief to small businesses at this time. The state is in a difficult fiscal position and has a limited number of tools at its disposal. Its capacity to help further is dependent upon federal monies being made available in the next federal relief package currently being discussed in Washington.

 What is motivating you to run for this seat at this time?

I am running for state representative because I want to see state government work for, support, and empower everyday people. I’ve had a lifelong interest in public service and policy. Until now, I’ve felt best able to serve others by volunteering on campaigns and for other civic causes. When Rep. Jose Tosado announced his retirement, I saw a rare opportunity to serve the community and to advance the common good directly through government service.