Reminder Publishing sent questionnaires to both candidates for Governor’s Council in the 7th District, which covers the towns of Brimfield, Hardwick, Holland, Monson, Wales and Ware, and most of Central Massachusetts. Incumbent Paul DePalo (D-Worcester) is facing a challenge from Andrew Couture (R-Fitchburg). The two candidates were asked identical questions. Their responses have been edited only for spelling and punctuation.
- What specific concerns will you bring to the Governor’s Council as a representative of Central and Western Massachusetts?
Couture: The top three concerns the residents of Central and Western Massachusetts can depend on me to represent on Governor’s Council will be: 1) thorough vetting of candidates to ensure that the right candidates are appointed to the right positions; 2) that judicial candidates are not threatening to remove or censor the constitutional rights of citizens; and 3) the candidates that I vote for will be a fair representation of the district I represent. As a city councilor, I understand the importance of working for the good of all, not just special interests or party politics.
DePalo: I’m an effective voice for Central and Western Massachusetts at the State House, constantly reminding the administration that the state does not end at [Interstate] 495. By building collaborative relationships and recruiting quality candidates, I’ve filled our region’s juvenile court judicial vacancies to protect our most vulnerable children, appointed the first Parole Board member from west of 495 in decades, and added local representatives to the Judicial Nominating Commission. I’m also an effective advocate for non-council issues. For example, I succeeded in lobbying to save the Worcester field parole office, whose scheduled closing would have negatively impacted our region’s public safety. - What qualities do you look for in confirming a judge? What, if any, are your “litmus test” issues?
Couture: Judges need to have unambiguous moral standards along with a compassionate heart. A desirable candidate would be someone who has worked the courtrooms and has the experience needed to interpret the law in the context of the situation presented. Not every situation is perspicuous and today’s judge has many extenuating circumstances that must be taken into consideration when passing sentence. I would be looking for someone who has a vested interest in the district they are working in. Someone who understands the economic, social and domestic stressors present in the community.
DePalo: Beyond basic qualifications and experience, I most value temperament. Most people’s day in court is tremendously stressful — especially for children and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or other violent crimes. How a judge treats litigants and manages their courtroom is impactful. As a former special education teacher who worked with court-involved youth, I know that brief interactions with a judge can profoundly change the trajectory of a child’s life. I see too many instances of “tough love” in juvenile court that exacerbate rather than help a child’s situation. - Are incarceration levels too high or too low? How will your beliefs inform your parole board, pardon and commutation votes?
Couture: Incarcerating people is costlier than community outreach programs that help rehabilitate and decrease recidivism. Community justice programs work best when the offender is connected with programs that assist with education, therapy and job training. When this process works, it can mean success for hundreds who would have otherwise been incarcerated. As long as these programs are kept available and funded and crime rates continue to drop, I see no need to increase incarceration rates. My belief is that people need to be given the chance to find redemption, and I will hold strong to that belief with my votes.
DePalo: Keeping our communities safe while reducing recidivism for non-violent crimes is more important than incarceration statistics. The Parole Board grants supervised, conditional release for eligible inmates when there’s no risk to public safety and high likelihood of successful re-entry. Addiction permeates our system, so successful re-entry requires effective treatment; that’s why I’ve fought to add a social worker and psychologist to the board. Pardons are appropriate for folks who’ve demonstrated self-improvement and deserve to pursue work, school, or military service without barriers from the past. But, I adamantly oppose politically motivated pardons, and led the fight to defeat one in 2021. - What specific belief, attribute or experience makes you a better choice for this position than your opponent?
Couture: In 2020, then-Gov. Baker sent out an emergency order, against federal regulations, to shut down firearm retailers, disregarding constitutional rights. I took the initiative to sue the commonwealth in order for the firearm retailers to remain open, therefore protecting Second Amendment rights in Massachusetts. No state court would hear the case, and I took the issue all the way to federal court. It was my duty to right the injustice. As your representative on Governor’s Council, I will work to ensure that the rights of all are protected and the judiciary is kept fair and unbiased.
DePalo: I’m an attorney whose firm represents working people wrongfully terminated or discriminated against by their employers, and a former special education teacher who developed and taught in alternative programming for at-risk youth. Many of my students were court-involved, so I have a unique perspective on how young people enter our system and become part of the so-called “trauma to prison pipeline.” And, as a councilor, I don’t wait for judicial nominees; rather, I actively recruit and support applicants through the process. I seek to bring new perspectives to the judiciary, particularly seeking judges with mental health or substance abuse expertise.
The 7th District Governor’s Council race will appear on state election ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 5. In-person early voting is available until Nov. 1.
