Johnnie Ray McKnight

State Senator Adam Gomez poses for a photo with supporters and others during his post-election gathering at Las Kangris in downtown Springfield, Mass. Tuesday night, Sept. 3, 2024.

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Incumbents hold off challenges in two closely-watched Springfield statehouse primaries

Two contested primaries in Hampden County, Massachusetts Tuesday ended with voters picking the incumbents. But one race was a squeaker.

The outside of the Rebecca M. Johnson School in Springfield, Mass. Tuesday afternoon, where locals trickled in and out in the early afternoon to vote in the state's primary elections on Sept. 3.

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It’s primary day in Massachusetts and turnout is low

James Paleologopoulos

Polls will be closing in a few hours in Massachusetts as the state’s primary elections come to an end. For most candidates in the Pioneer Valley, there wasn’t much of a contest, but it’s been a different story in the region’s biggest city.

(from left to right) Competing in the 11th Hampden primary race is incumbent State Rep. Bud Williams and challenger Johnnie Ray McKnight, while for the Hampden senate district, current occupant State Sen. Adam Gomez faces Springfield Ward 4 City Councilor Malo Brown.

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Two of Pioneer Valley's most competitive primaries come to a head in Springfield, Mass. Tuesday

James Paleologopoulos

Two of the most competitive primary races in the Pioneer Valley come to a head Tuesday. Both are Democratic primaries. One is the Hampden district race, with State Senator Adam Gomez fielding a challenge from Springfield City Councilor Malo Brown.Also in the Springfield area is the 11th Hampden House race, which pits Representative Bud Williams against local educator Johnnie Ray McKnight.WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief James Paleologopoulos spoke with Matt Szafranski, Editor-in-Chief of Western Mass. Politics & Insight about both races.