Colby Hoffman of Westfield has taken out papers to run for state representative in the 4th Hampden District.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
WESTFIELD — Colby Hoffman, 38, of Westfield, is gathering signatures to run as a Democrat for state representative 4th Hampden District, a seat currently held by state Rep. Kelly Pease, a Republican who covers Southampton and most of Westfield.
Hoffman moved to Westfield with his wife, Dixie Hoffman, in 2019. “We love Westfield,” he said.
He is originally from Enfield, where his father worked for the postal service and his mother was a waitress, and he attended public schools. He received a bachelor’s in political science from Central Connecticut State University in 2013.
Hoffman said for the past two years he has worked as a customer service specialist for a regional supermarket in Westfield, and Dixie Hoffman is an office manager at Florence Casket Co.
“Before that, I worked a series of customer service and office jobs. I’ve always been customer service focused,” he said, adding that he always believed he would run for a political office one day.
“I went to school for political science. I love history, I love our Constitution. I have always admired public service. I thought maybe someday I would stand up and run for political office,” he said.
After attending a Democratic caucus recently, he realized nobody was interested in running for the 4th Hampden seat. “I don’t think it’s healthy to have an office, especially on the state level, to leave it unopposed. I don’t think it’s fair to this community, and that’s true for all districts,” Hoffman said.
“I think it’s important to have seats contested for a healthy democracy. Massachusetts is a state under threat. We need to have as much strength on a state level to push back against the federal overreach that’s going on now. The states have a really strong role to utilize in our federalist system,” he continued.
Hoffman also acknowledged that the 4th Hampden District is fairly evenly split between the two parties. “This is a swing district between the two parties. I am open-minded. I’m willing to listen to opinions that aren’t mine and that conflict with my own. My entire life has been trying to work with people to find solutions. I’m not trying to just appeal to people who share my views. I think I’m a good fit to represent everybody,” he said, including both Westfield and Southampton. “I would make sure that both communities are equally represented as well.”
“It is my duty as a citizen to run for something,” he said, citing what he called the federal overreach that’s occurring and attacks on states, including Massachusetts. “I am a member of the working middle class. I understand how affordable things are and continue to go. I feel I could more adequately represent this district as someone who is truly on the ground witnessing the cost to consumers and threats to small businesses.”
“A big reason for running is I feel it’s a duty to stand up and say what’s happening at the federal level that’s going to affect us at the state level. I love this community, and I want to protect it,” Hoffman said.
Asked what he considers to be the greatest priorities, Hoffman said to protect local control. “Truly, to do everything we can to protect our freedom and liberties from our out-of-control federal government. I do want to protect local control for placement of data centers and battery storage. I think we need to have strong regulations to make sure the community is aware of what they’re bringing in and the effects on water and electricity.”
He said protecting local control is something that state legislators have control over; passing laws that prevent local communities from controlling what kind of industries can be placed there.
“My other big issue that I’m pushing for is to do everything that we can do to protect the Fair Share Amendment, which is working to bring resources into the state that are desperately needed, and that more of those funds get put into the 4th Hampden District. A functioning society is worth paying for,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman also talked about being a first-time candidate. “This is not something I’ve ever done before. I’m learning as I go. I’m still building the campaign and gathering signatures, and meeting with people in Southampton and Westfield.” He will need to collect 150 signatures of registered Democratic or non-party voters in the two communities by April 28, per election regulations.
Hoffman said he is looking forward to meeting people, although he describes himself as reserved and a little shy. “I have to get out there and get my face there. I have to meet people and show them who Colby is,” he said.
“When we moved here in September of 2019, it was winter, and then COVID. I feel like I’ve never really had a chance to meet the people in my community properly; it’s a chance to meet people and get out of our internet screens.” He also launched a Colby Hoffman for State Representative page on Facebook.
Hoffman said he has not yet met Pease. “This is not really me going against a person; it’s giving a secondary option. I think I am a really good candidate. I think it’s very important that we have alternate ideas,” he said.
