State officials have scheduled the special election to fill a vacant western Massachusetts State Senate seat for November 5th.
The special election will be held concurrently with municipal elections in several communities in a move that will save money and could boost turnout. Primaries , if needed, would be held October 8th. Republican Michael Knapik of Westfield is resigning after almost two decades in the senate, and the race to succeed him is wide open, according to political consultant Tony Cignoli.
Republican State Representative Donald Humason of Westfield and the Democratic mayor of Easthampton, Michael Tautznik have announced they’ll run. Prospective candidates face an August 27th deadline to submit nomination papers with the signatures of at least 300 registered voters.
