State Rep. Nicholas A. Boldyga.
Reminder Publishing file photo
SOUTHWICK – After winning an eighth consecutive term representing the 3rd Hampden District on Tuesday, state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga thanked his supporters.
“I’m grateful to the voters for their support and for the opportunity to serve another term. It’s an honor to represent our communities in Boston, and I’ll continue to stand up for the values we share and fight to make Massachusetts a more affordable place to live,” Boldyga, the Republican from Southwick, said in an email.
After running unopposed in 2024, Boldyga faced Democrat Tom Hendrickson and Independent Jason Perron this election cycle for the seat he has held since 2010.
When all the votes were counted, Boldyga tallied 10,218, or 53%, to Hendrickson’s 6,880 and Perron’s 1,794.
Hendrickson and Perron ran spirited campaigns, both focusing on their perception that Boldyga wasn’t adequately representing his constituents, which Hendrickson continued to hammer home on Wednesday.
“We tried to highlight the ways we were not being represented,” Hendrickson said.
“Residents of the district deserve better than what they’re getting. For the next two years, we need to hold him responsible for his attendance record and ability to bring state resources to the district,” he said.
He did, however, thank his supporters.
“I’m really proud of the campaign we ran, and I’m incredibly grateful for the support. A lot of people did a lot of hard work,” he said.
When asked if he was planning to try again, he said that for now he would focus on being reelected to the Agawam City Council.
Perron, in what he knew was a long-shot bid, acknowledged this after the results were announced.
“Well, this wasn’t the result I wanted, but I can’t say it was entirely unexpected,” he said in an emailed statement.
He said he went to bed last night with his head held high because he had given his all.
“I worked twice as hard because, as an Independent running against two party-backed candidates, I had to. I didn’t have a political party or its resources behind me, but I never let that stop me,” he said.
He quickly congratulated Boldyga and acknowledged Hendrickson.
“I want to congratulate Nick Boldyga on his victory and wish him well as he continues representing the people of the 3rd Hampden District,” he said.
“I also want to acknowledge Tom Hendrickson. Tom worked hard, and while we certainly don’t agree on everything, I respect the time, effort, and commitment he put into this race,” he said before thanking his supporters.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone who supported me throughout this campaign. Whether you donated, put a sign in your yard, shared my posts, volunteered your time, offered words of encouragement, or simply stopped to have a conversation, I appreciate all of it,” he said.
The district includes most of Agawam and all of Southwick, Tolland, Granville, Huntington, Chester, Russell, Blandford, Montgomery and Middlefield.
In Southwick, Boldyga received 2,469 votes; Hendrickson got 1,306 votes, and Perron drew 606 votes, according to Southwick’s Town Clerk’s Office. Of the town’s 7,772 registered voters, 4,569 residents cast votes.
Tolland voters split between Boldyga and Hendrickson, with the Republican securing 130 votes and the Democrat receiving 100. Perron notched 30 votes.
In Chester, a town of 976 registered voters, Boldyga received about a third of the town’s votes: 314 votes. Hendrickson received 201 votes, and Perron got 62 votes.
In Blandford, Boldyga received 339 votes. Hendrickson earned 202 votes, and Perron received 104 votes.
In Russell, Boldyga received 356 votes, Hendrickson received 202, and Perron received 111.
In Montgomery, Boldyga received 267 votes, while Hendrickson earned 154 and Perron garnered 30.
Results were not available for Granville and Middlefield as of press time.
