Donald Humason Jr. Explained
Donald F. Humason Jr. (born July 31, 1967) is an American politician who served as mayor of Westfield, Massachusetts from 2020 to 2022 and current town administrator of Chester, beginning September 6, 2022.[2] A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District in the Massachusetts Senate from 2013 to 2020, and as representative for the 4th Hampden District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives between 2003 and 2013.[3]
Political career
Massachusetts House of Representatives
In his first bid for public office, Humason was elected on November 5, 2002 with 63% of the vote and was re-elected in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. He resigned on November 20, 2013 after he was elected to the State Senate.
Humason's committee assignments were as follows.
- 186th General Court (2009–2011)
- Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
- Joint Committee on Higher Education
- Joint Committee on Public Health
- Joint Committee on Transportation
- Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies
- 187th General Court (2011–2013)
- Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
- Joint Committee on Rules
- Committee on Rules
- 188th General Court (2013–2015)
- Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
- Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies
- 189th General Court (2015–2017)
- Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
- Joint Committee on Public Service
- Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
- Joint Committee on Ways and Means
- Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
- Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
- Committee on Ways and Means
- Special Committee to Improve Government
Massachusetts Senate
On August 9, 2013, incumbent State Senator Michael Knapik resigned to become Executive Director of Advancement at Westfield State University. Humason defeated Michael Franco in the Republican primary on October 8 and defeated Democratic opponent David K. Bartley 53%-47%.[4] [5] A few weeks later, Humason was named as the new Senate Minority Whip by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. As Minority Whip, Humason worked to coordinate votes within the Senate Republican Caucus and assist the Minority Leader in developing policy.[6] He submitted his letter of resignation to Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka on December 4 upon being elected Mayor of Westfield. A special election was scheduled for March 31, 2020, but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic until May 16;[7] it was won by Representative John Velis, who previously won the 2014 special election to succeed Humason in the House.[8]
During his tenure in the Senate, Humason's committee assignments were as follows:
- 188th General Court (2013–2014)
- Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
- Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
- Joint Committee on Public Health
- Joint Committee on Public Service
- Joint Committee on Revenue
- Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
- Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
- Joint Committee on Ways and Means
- Committee on Ways and Means
- Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
- 189th General Court (2015–2016)
- Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
- Joint Committee on Education
- Joint Committee on Public Service
- Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
- Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
- Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
- Committee on Ways and Means
- 190th General Court (2017–2018)
- Joint Committee on Rules
- Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
- Joint Committee on Public Service
- Joint Committee on Transportation
- Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
- Joint Committee on Ways and Means
- Special Committee to Review the Sexual Harassment Policies and Procedures
- Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
- Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
- Committee on Rules
- Committee on Ways and Means
- 191st General Court (2019–2020)
- Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
- Joint Committee on Public Health
- Joint Committee on Public Service
- Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
- Joint Committee on Ways and Means
- Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets (Ranking Member)
- Committee on Ethics (Ranking Member)
- Committee on Post Audit and Oversight
- Committee on Ways and Means
Towns represented
In Hampden County: Chicopee (Ward 7 - Precinct A and B, Ward 8 - Precinct A, Ward 9 - Precinct A), Holyoke, Westfield, Agawam, Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick and Tolland.
In Hampshire County: Easthampton and Southampton.
Appointments
- Senate Minority Whip (2013–2017)[9]
- Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force[10]
- Senate Assistant Minority Leader (2017–2020)[11]
Mayor of Westfield
In January 2019, two-term incumbent Mayor Brian P. Sullivan announced he would not seek re-election.[12] On March 21, Humason ran for mayor against Michael McCabe, a 34-year captain of the Westfield Police Department.[13] [14] Humason narrowly defeated McCabe in a close race, winning 4,983 votes while McCabe received 4,886. Neither side declared victory as the results were within the margin of error, but McCabe chose not to seek a recount and conceded.[15] He ran for re-election to a second term in 2021, but lost to McCabe in a rematch.[16]
Town administrator of Chester
After his tenure as Mayor of Westfield ended, Humason was chosen by the Chester selectboard to be the next town administrator.[17]
Electoral history
State Legislature
| Election results[18] |
|---|
| Year | Office | Election | | Subject | Party | Votes | % | | Opponent | Party | Votes | % |
| 2002 | State Representative | General | | | Donald F. Humason Jr. | | Republican | | 8,250 | | 63.0% | | | Bo Sullivan | | Democratic | | 4.827 | | 36.9% |
| 2004 | State Representative | General | | | Donald F. Humason Jr. | | Republican | | 13,720 | | 99.1% |
| 2006 | State Representative | General | | | Donald F. Humason Jr. | | Republican | | 9,925 | | 98.9% |
| 2008 | State Representative | General | | | Donald F. Humason Jr. | | Republican | | 11,521 | | 69.3% | | | Brian R. Hoose | | Democratic | | 5,080 | | 30.6% |
| 2010 | State Representative | General | | | Donald F. Humason Jr. | | Republican | | 10,286 | | 99.3% |
| 2012 | State Representative | General | | | Donald F. Humason Jr. | | Republican | | 14,732 | | 99.2% |
| 2013 | State Senator | Special | | | Donald F. Humason Jr. | | Republican | | 18,182 | | 52.6% | | | David K. Bartley | | Democratic | | 16,314 | | 47.4% |
| 2014 | State Senator | General | | | Donald F. Humason Jr. | | Republican | | 27,817 | | 54.3% | | | Patrick T. Leahy | | Democratic | | 16,314 | | 47.4% |
| 2016 | State Senator | General | | | Donald F. Humason Jr. | | Republican | | 43,097 | | 59.5% | | | J.D. Parker-O'Grady | | Democratic | | 29,285 | | 40.4% |
| 2018 | State Senator | General | | | Donald F. Humason Jr. | | Republican | | 45,300 | | 97.9% |
|
Westfield mayoral election, 2019
| Candidates | Preliminary election[19] | General election |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| Donald F. Humason, Jr. | 1,793 | 46% | 4,983 | 50% |
| Michael A. McCabe | 1,690 | 44% | 4,886 | 50% |
| Kristen Mello | 355 | 9% | |
| Andrew Mullen | 29 | 1% | |
|
Westfield mayoral election, 2021
| Candidates | General election[20] |
|---|
| Votes | % |
|---|
| Michael A. McCabe | 4,714 | 55.1% |
| Donald F. Humason, Jr. (incumbent) | 3,846 | 44.9% |
|
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Book: 2007–2008 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts .
- News: Ex-Mayor, Senator Donald Humason tapped as Chester’s town administrator. August 26, 2022.
- http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/DFH1 Massachusetts Legislature profile
- News: State Senate candidates Donald Humason and David Bartley move ahead with campaigns following Tuesday primaries . Lederman . Diane . The Republican . October 9, 2013.
- News: Republican Don Humason wins 2nd Hampden Hampshire District Senate seat . Rizzuto . Robert . The Republican . November 5, 2013.
- News: Humason promoted to new leadership position . Kriger . Barry . December 6, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131212035010/http://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/humason-promoted-to-new-leadership-position . December 12, 2013 .
- Web site: Tuthill. Paul. March 25, 2020. March Special Elections In Massachusetts Postponed. live. September 13, 2021. WAMC. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210913005137/https://www.wamc.org/politics/2020-03-25/march-special-elections-in-massachusetts-postponed . 2021-09-13 .
- Web site: DeForge. Jeanette. May 20, 2020. John Velis wins special election for state Senate seat. live. September 13, 2021. MassLive.com. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200526232810/https://www.masslive.com/news/2020/05/john-velis-wins-2nd-hampden-and-hampshire-district-special-state-senate-election.html . 2020-05-26 .
- News: Humason promoted to new leadership position . Kriger . Barry . December 6, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131212035010/http://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/humason-promoted-to-new-leadership-position . December 12, 2013 .
- News: Sen. Don Humason Appointed to Military & Security Task Force . Trowbridge . Ryan . September 16, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141005143453/http://www.wggb.com/2014/09/16/sen-don-humason-appointed-to-military-security-task-force/ . October 5, 2014 . dead .
- News: Sen. Don Humason assumes leadership role in Massachusetts Senate . Berry . Conor . March 13, 2017.
- Web site: Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan will not seek 3rd term. https://web.archive.org/web/20190817121103/https://www.masslive.com/news/2019/01/westfields_mayor_sullivan_will.html. 2019-08-17. 30 January 2019.
- News: Massachusetts Sen. Don Humason announces run for Westfield mayor. Tremblay . Hope . March 21, 2019.
- News: Westfield mayoral candidates Donald Humason, Michael McCabe advance to general election. Kinney. Jim. September 4, 2019.
- News: McCabe Concedes To Humason In Westfield Mayor's Race. November 8, 2019.
- News: Michael McCabe defeats Westfield Mayor Donald Humason. November 2, 2021.
- News: Ex-Mayor, Senator Donald Humason tapped as Chester’s town administrator. Porter. Amy. August 26, 2022.
- Web site: Massachusetts Election Statistics . Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- News: Westfield mayoral candidates Donald Humason, Michael McCabe advance to general election . The Republican.
- News: Michael McCabe defeats Westfield Mayor Donald Humason. November 2, 2021.
