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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.