Duffy and Candelario Gonzalez face off in 5th Hampden District race

Jose Candelario Gonzalez
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

With early voting upon us and the Nov. 3 election around the corner, Reminder Publishing reached out to state Rep. Patricia Duffy and independent challenger Jose Candelario Gonzalez, candidates for the 5th Hampden district, to hear their platforms.

If elected, the district they’d represent includes Holyoke and one ward in Chicopee.

Duffy has been a democratic member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and has represented the 5th Hampden District since January 2021. She has also served on the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority for 10 years and served as the only staffer for state Rep. Aaron Vega before being elected to her current position.

Looking to run for her fourth term, she said she is eager to continue her efforts to secure funding and support for the region’s housing and workforce programs. She said she will advocate for the release of the $7.5 million bond authorization she secured for Combined Sewer Overflow mitigation to continue cleanup of the Connecticut River.

She said she also remains focused on environmental justice, improving access to oral health, making sure the Chapter 70 funding formula is examined and that Holyoke and Chicopee are properly represented.

Duffy also discussed her advocacy for Holyoke Public Schools to return to local control.

“Now I want to help them succeed. A commission has been formed to study funding formulas. Holyoke and other Gateway Cities benefited fairly from the last revision, and it’s important that I continue to have a seat at the table to ensure the next revision remains equitable,” Duffy said. “Also, we are the first school system to come out of state receivership. We have something to offer other districts. I want to take a close look at the exit assurances we negotiated with the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education and make sure they’re productive tools.”

She said that two prevalent concerns she hears from constituents revolve around affordability and changes in the federal government.

“There are tremendous national and international pressures making the price of food, housing and gas continually rise. But we can address these on a state level. As a state government, we can make sure that benefits like SNAP, health insurance and vaccinations remain available,” Duffy said.

Duffy finished with a message about why constituents should vote for her.

“Constituents can trust my leadership, not only because of my strong track record, but because we are moving our community in the right direction. For nearly 25 years, I have served our district as a community organizer, volunteer, campaign leader and member of the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority,” Duffy said. “Throughout this time, I have helped drive progress in local housing, economic development and food security for our most vulnerable residents. I share the deep passion of our constituents, backed by decades of hands-on experience, strong relationships and earned trust; both here at home and among my colleagues on Beacon Hill and within the administration.”

Candelario Gonzalez, meanwhile, is looking to bring his lifetime of experience in education, public service and knowledge of Holyoke to the state level. He moved to Holyoke from Puerto Rico in 1971 and attended Holyoke Public Schools before becoming an educator in the same district he graduated from.

“Education has been part of my life from the time I was a student in Holyoke Public Schools to the work I do today,” Candelario Gonzalez said. “I know how important our schools are to the future of our community, and I want to make sure our students, families and educators have a strong voice at the State House.”

He said his campaign focuses on strengthening public education, housing affordability, government accountability, healthcare, public safety, and the everyday concerns of working families in Holyoke and Chicopee, as well as protections for tenants and homeowners, addressing the opioid and addiction crisis, and opposition to local collaboration with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement programs.

Candelario Gonzalez holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

He said his professional and educational background has shaped his approach to public service and his belief that government should respond to the everyday needs of students, families and neighborhoods.

With Holyoke having returned to local control of its public schools, Candelario Gonzalez said he believes this is a particularly important moment for strong representation on education issues. His platform calls for reforming Chapter 70 funding to fund public schools more equitably, keeping state education funding responsive to inflation, supporting educators, and ensuring Holyoke receives its fair share of Student Opportunity Act funding.

He said that he has not held an elected public office position since college, where he served as a student senator at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“I believe the 5th Hampden District deserves representation that is accessible, accountable and grounded in the community,” Candelario Gonzalez stated.