EASTHAMPTON — If you hear a knock on your front door, it might be Nicole M. LaChapelle.

The attorney and 20-year Easthampton resident formally announced her candidacy for mayor on Tuesday in front of the Old Town Hall at 43 Main St. Over the next five months, she said, she will conduct her campaign the same way she will govern — transparently and openly.

“I cannot wait to knock on doors,” LaChapelle, 50, said. “I’m going to be at your door. I’m going to listen to your concerns and I want to learn from your ideas.”

The city’s current mayor, Karen Cadieux, has yet to announce whether she will seek a third term in November.

LaChapelle has been interested in politics since she was young, her father, John Allan La Chapelle, said. He said she was always intrigued with the polling places by her childhood home in Holyoke, and in her early teenage years, she became involved in local campaigns.

“This is exciting,” he said, standing in the crowd Tuesday along with other family members supporting his daughter. “I’m very proud.”

LaChapelle holds a bachelor’s degree in government from Smith College and a law degree from Western New England College School of Law. She is the former director of the Center for School Crisis Intervention and Assessment Inc.

In 2016, she served as a delegate for Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president. As a delegate, LaChapelle represented the Massachusetts 1st Congressional District at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. She has also served on the Easthampton Zoning Board of Appeals and as treasurer of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee.

But why run for mayor now?

“I’m compelled to get off the sidelines,” LaChapelle said. “And run for mayor by the same things that have driven me for decades — advocating for communities to make them the best that they can be, for everyone, regardless of profession, race, age, creed or income.”

If elected, LaChapelle said, one of her priorities is to create and lead open conversations about tensions in the city.

For a complicated and emotionally charged issue, such as the discussion on whether to designate Easthampton a sanctuary city, LaChapelle said pre-education and thoughtful introduction to the topic is important, suggesting that city officials get together and look into what other cities and towns have done.

From talking to some Easthampton voters, LaChapelle said she believes many people want a better understanding of what’s happening in local government and how to access that information.

She said some people can’t make it to an evening meeting and the city should have more accessible ways to get information to residents.

LaChapelle said one way to make the city government more transparent is through tools such as the data information system Open Checkbook.

“Easthampton deserves a mayor who cultivates progress and thinks creatively to solve existing challenges,” she said. ” I am a leader with new perspectives to lead our city forward and into the future.”

Meanwhile, asked if she plans to seek re-election, Cadieux said, “A candidate cannot take out nomination papers until July and that is why and when I will be making any announcement.”

Cadieux was first elected in 2013 after serving as an assistant to former mayor Michael Tautznik for 17 years. In 2015, she was the sole candidate for the position.

Cadieux said a person is not considered an official candidate until nomination papers are returned to the city clerk for signature certification.

Nomination papers for the municipal race will be available on July 3 and must be returned to the city clerk’s office by Sept. 19.

LaChapelle has a campaign kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. on June 29 at the American Legion, 190 Pleasant St.

Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.

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