AGAWAM — In preparation for the 2022 Democratic State Convention, the Agawam Democratic Town Committee will host a caucus to elect delegates on Feb. 12.

The caucus will take place at the Agawam Senior Center, at 954 Main St., at 10 a.m. Doors will open at 9 a.m. The caucus will be hybrid, allowing for in-person and virtual participation.

Former Democratic Town Committee Chair Corinne Wingard informed Reminder Publishing that the caucus is open to all registered Agawam Democrats. She added that all pre-registered Democrats who are 16 years of age as of Feb. 4 may also participate.

Wingard said the committee chair, Anthony Russo, will start the caucus by reading a letter from the state chair. Then “people are nominated, [we] write [names down] and then vote.” The caucus will elect 12 gender-balanced delegates and four gender-balanced alternates to represent Agawam at the Democratic State Convention.

“Youth, minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals who were not elected as a delegate or alternate at the caucus may apply to be an add-on delegate to the convention,” said Wingard.

Any Agawam resident who is not registered as a Democrat prior to the caucus, may register the day of the caucus, before it begins. To do so, a voter registration form must be completed in person or online, for those attending virtually.

A Zoom link will be made available prior to the caucus for those who sign up. Wingard noted that it is not necessary to sign up in advance if one plans to attend in person.

As this event is widely publicized, she is hopeful that a lot of people will attend. In past years, Wingard recalled nearly 20 or more participants, as it is a “nominating convention.”

She added, “It’s a great opportunity for people to get engaged in government. Even if you’re not supporting a particular candidate, it’s still a great opportunity.”
The state convention is scheduled for June 4 at the DCU Center in Worcester. This event will also be hybrid.

“Delegates at the state convention will vote for candidates for the state constitutional offices ahead of the September 2022 Democratic Primary, for the November 2022 general election,” said Wingard. “Candidates who receive the most votes for each office at the convention will be endorsed candidates of the Democratic Party.”

Several Democrats have announced their candidacy for statewide office, and will hope to gain the convention’s endorsement. Declared candidates as of Jan. 26 include Harvard professor Danielle Allen, state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz and Attorney General Maura Healey, running for governor; businessman Bret Bero, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, state Rep. Tammy Gouveia, state Sen. Adam Hinds and state Sen. Eric Lesser, for lieutenant governor; incumbent William Galvin and attorney and NAACP leader Tanisha Sullivan for secretary of state; attorneys Shannon Liss-Riordan and Quentin Palfrey for attorney general; incumbent Deborah Goldberg for state treasurer; and business consultant Chris Dempsey and state Sen. Diane DiZoglio for state auditor.

“Candidates may attend or send representatives to speak at the caucus prior to voting,” said Wingard.

The Agawam Democratic Town Committee is currently made up of about 35 members. Wingard explained that there is new membership every four years, at the same time as the presidential election. During this election, the committee chair is determined as part of a “general vote,” Wingard added.

Under Russo’s leadership, Wingard believes the Democratic Party in Agawam has grown stronger. She described Russo as dedicated and hardworking, along with having a “strong relationship in Democratic values,” which she defined as “the greater/common good.”

She noted that one issue in town is the low voter turnout.
“People don’t recognize that local elections impact people more directly. It’s hard to get people engaged. People have distrust and lack of understanding,” Wingard said. “If you want the good for the town, do this through voting. The Democratic Committee will support candidates and promote voting.”

She concluded, “Right now, legislation is a big thing. All the things people care about, the Legislature determines. We need to have legislators who [are] tuned in and know what [we] need.”