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]
Don Humason | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Town Administrator of Chester | |
| Assumed office September 6, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Jill Strong |
| Mayor of Westfield | |
| In office January 6, 2020 – January 3, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Brian P. Sullivan |
| Succeeded by | Michael A. McCabe |
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district | |
| In office November 20, 2013 – January 5, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Knapik |
| Succeeded by | John Velis |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 4th Hampden district | |
| In office 2003 – November 20, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Cele Hahn |
| Succeeded by | John Velis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 31, 1967 Westfield, Massachusetts[1] |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Janice Humason (m. 2006) |
| Children | Quinn (b. 2011) |
| Residence(s) | Westfield, Massachusetts |
| Alma mater | Westfield State College (B.S.) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Website | Massachusetts Legislature website Campaign website |
Political career
editMassachusetts House of Representatives
editIn 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
editOn 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
editIn 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
edit- Senate Minority Whip (2013–2017)[9]
- Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force[10]
- Senate Assistant Minority Leader (2017–2020)[11]
Mayor of Westfield
editIn 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
editAfter his tenure as Mayor of Westfield ended, Humason was chosen by the Chester selectboard to be the next town administrator.[17]
Electoral history
editState 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
editReferences
edit- ^ 2007–2008 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- ^ "Ex-Mayor, Senator Donald Humason tapped as Chester's town administrator". Retrieved August 26, 2022.
- ^ Massachusetts Legislature profile
- ^ Lederman, Diane. "State Senate candidates Donald Humason and David Bartley move ahead with campaigns following Tuesday primaries". The Republican. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
- ^ Rizzuto, Robert. "Republican Don Humason wins 2nd Hampden Hampshire District Senate seat". The Republican. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ^ Kriger, Barry. "Humason promoted to new leadership position". Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
- ^ Tuthill, Paul (March 25, 2020). "March Special Elections In Massachusetts Postponed". WAMC. Archived from the original on 2021-09-13. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ DeForge, Jeanette (May 20, 2020). "John Velis wins special election for state Senate seat". MassLive.com. Archived from the original on 2020-05-26. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ Kriger, Barry. "Humason promoted to new leadership position". Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
- ^ Trowbridge, Ryan. "Sen. Don Humason Appointed to Military & Security Task Force". Archived from the original on October 5, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
- ^ Berry, Conor. "Sen. Don Humason assumes leadership role in Massachusetts Senate". Retrieved March 13, 2017.
- ^ "Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan will not seek 3rd term". 30 January 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-08-17.
- ^ Tremblay, Hope. "Massachusetts Sen. Don Humason announces run for Westfield mayor". Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ Kinney, Jim. "Westfield mayoral candidates Donald Humason, Michael McCabe advance to general election". Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "McCabe Concedes To Humason In Westfield Mayor's Race". Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ "Michael McCabe defeats Westfield Mayor Donald Humason". Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ Porter, Amy. "Ex-Mayor, Senator Donald Humason tapped as Chester's town administrator". Retrieved August 26, 2022.
- ^ "Massachusetts Election Statistics". Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- ^ "Westfield mayoral candidates Donald Humason, Michael McCabe advance to general election". The Republican.
- ^ "Michael McCabe defeats Westfield Mayor Donald Humason". Retrieved November 2, 2021.
External links
edit- Senator Donald F. Humason Jr. official Massachusetts legislative website
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart