Latest news with #Lachenmeyer
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Candidate, kin marked dead on Mass. Dem database, seemingly by his rival, state Rep. Puppolo
WILBRAHAM — The man set to run against state Rep. Angelo Puppolo, D-Springfield, claimed last week the incumbent marked him 'deceased' on his party's campaign-building website. The problem has been fixed since then, though, and candidate Michael Lachenmeyer is back among the living. Lachenmeyer, 26, said Puppolo marked him and other members of his family as dead on VoteBuilder, a website used for campaigning, on June 18 — two days after Lachenmeyer publicly announced his run for Puppolo's seat in the 12th Hampden District, which includes all of Wilbraham and portions of Springfield, Monson and East Longmeadow. 'I feel angry and upset,' said Lachenmeyer last week. He told The Republican he was anxious and concerned that the action might've been politically motivated. The Republican viewed a screenshot of Lachenmeyer's VoteBuilder account, in which there are six options for eliminating names from distribution lists. Multiple options are visible, including 'Do not walk (no home visits),' 'Do not call,' and 'Do not text,' but a final option, 'Deceased,' can be seen marked by 'Puppolo Jr., A. on 6/18/25,' the screenshot shows. According to top state Democratic officials, the problem is not as nefarious as it seems. 'While we are not aware of the specific reasoning for this instance, campaigns for both parties remove opposing candidates and their supporters from contact lists, so they do not receive mail, phone calls, etc.,' Adam Roof, executive director of Massachusetts Democrats, said in an emailed statement. He explained that there are other 'effective methods' to remove people from contact lists, and the state Democratic party does not 'train or advocate' for marking someone as deceased to remove them from receiving messaging. Puppolo did not immediately respond to a phone or emailed request for comment on the matter. Steve Kerrigan, chair of the state Democratic Party, said in an emailed statement that VoteBuilder is not an 'official voter list' but rather a database political campaigns used to make contact with voters. 'Any changes to a voter's status does not impact any official voter registry. In this instance, the status was corrected,' he said. When reached for comment Monday, Lachenmeyer said he was feeling better about the situation. He said he has not spoken with Puppolo about it yet. 'I'm hopeful this won't be an issue going forward or for others like me who challenge incumbents,' he said. The Democratic primary is in September. Better angels must release US from Trump's Dark Ages (The Republican Editorials) PD: Road closure in Chicopee because of structure fire Springfield police arrest man accused of setting house on fire Largest federal grant in Mass Audubon history terminated by Trump admin Why we need a new Congress – and how to get one (Viewpoint) Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Angelo Puppolo to face challenger in 2026 Democratic primary
WILBRAHAM — Michael Lachenmeyer was eight years old when state Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo Jr., D-Springfield, took office. The 26-year-old Wilbraham native announced he will take on the incumbent in the Democratic primary next September, according to a social media post on Monday. 'Our community needs change,' said Lachenmeyer in an interview with The Republican on Wednesday. This will be his first run for public office. Lachenmeyer is critical of Puppolo's nearly 20-year run representing the 12th Hampden District, which includes all of Wilbraham and portions of Springfield, Monson and East Longmeadow. 'He isn't present in the community and he doesn't talk about policy. Policy is very important,' Lachenmeyer said. Lachenmeyer recently returned to Western Massachusetts from Chicago, where he attended college and pursued a master's degree. While in college, the candidate worked on Democratic campaigns. If elected, Lachenmeyer said he wants to increase government transparency, universal health care and education. He also wants to bring down the cost of living for residents. 'A single representative can't do it alone, but I hope my actions will inspire others like me to run for office,' he said. While living in Chicago, Lachenmeyer said he admired that Illinois has stricter penalties for elected officials who engage in public corruption. In the commonwealth, committees in the state legislature are not required to take votes publicly. Elected officials 'get comfortable and there are ways to hold them accountable,' Lachenmeyer said. Last October, the state auditor's office said legislators refused to participate in a performance review conducted by the office, which prevented the report from including necessary information about financial and budgetary information in the Senate and House. 'The Legislature is infamous for being a closed-door operation,' Diana DiZoglio, the state auditor, said in a statement at the time. 'It is deeply concerning that legislative leaders have refused to cooperate with our office to help promote transparency and identify ways to improve service to the people of Massachusetts.' Lachenmeyer also wants to get more funding to public schools in the district. He is a Teach for America corps member training to be an English as a Second Language teacher in Springfield. Changes at the federal level, including the President Donald Trump's cuts to K-12 education grant funding — including roughly $47 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding that was headed for Springfield — inspire Lachenmeyer to call for bringing in more money from the so-called 'Millionaires' Tax,' to fund education projects, he said. Making housing and public transit accessible and affordable are also issues Lachenmeyer wants to tackle. Meanwhile, Puppolo has been in office since 2007. Throughout his tenure, the lifelong Springfield resident, has 'brought home millions in local funding,' and has increased funding for education, local aid, seniors and veterans, he said in an emailed statement to The Republican. His advocacy, he said, helped bring money in for the $483 million Veterans' Home at Holyoke project, which is due to be completed by 2028. 'Make no mistake about it, I'm running for reelection and take any challenger seriously,' he said. 'We need strong, experienced and committed leaders now more than ever. In response to Lachenmeyer's claims that Puppolo has been absent from the district, Puppolo said he maintains a full-time office in Wilbraham and attends many events in Western Massachusetts throughout the week. 'I am available and accessible to always answer questions,' he said. 'My opponent doesn't have his facts straight. It is he who has been absent from the district and area for several years with no presence.' The Democratic primary is 15 months away. Springfield artist Kevin Watts turns personal challenges into gemstone sculptures Springfield renews pawn shop licensing, but takes a step to protect against theft New fusion cafe brings Afghan hospitality to Amherst Gunmaker Smith & Wesson to invest in Mass. facilities despite Tenn. move Read the original article on MassLive.
