EASTHAMPTON — Seven years after entering the political spotlight as a member of the Easthampton City Council, Homar Gomez on Thursday officially launched a bid for state representative for the 2nd Hampshire District.

“My family, the community, my friends. Definitely those are the main reasons I decided to run for state rep,” said Gomez, who is entering his seventh year representing Precinct 2 on the council, and his third year as its president.

“I try to be involved as much as I can with everything in the community because I think that if [I] don’t serve the community, I’d be wasting my time. I think it’s part of my DNA, and that DNA came from my mom,” he said.

Gomez’s announcement comes days after state Rep. Dan Carey, D-Easthampton, said he would not seek reelection to the position, which represents Hadley, South Hadley, Granby and Easthampton. Carey announced his intentions to run for Hampshire County Clerk of Courts.

Born in Puerto Rico, Gomez, 48, moved to Amherst in 1997, wanting to live somewhere where his daughters “could grow and be educated.” In 2007, his family moved to Easthampton.

Outside of City Council, Gomez has a background in finance working for his family’s bakery and for a funeral home, and his knowledge of finance and money extends to his role as a councilor.

As City Council president, “the first check/balance of the mayor,” Gomez said he is proud of his review of the budget.

“I can be sure that the taxpayers’ money is being used wisely in the best way for the community to provide services,” he said. “I think it’s really important for the community to understand that they have an ally in me when it’s about taxpayers’ money.”

Another accomplishment during his time on City Council has to do with “always protecting the minorities,” which he has done through creating and supporting ordinances like the Welcoming Community Trust Ordinance — which allows residents to participate in city government regardless of immigration status and prevents police from asking about the immigration status of a victim or crime suspect — and the facial recognition software ban for city agencies.

If elected as state representative, he said, “I will keep fighting for the same. I will keep fighting for everybody, especially for the people that need the most, always protecting people’s money.”

As a representative of the 2nd Hampshire District, Gomez said he would prioritize economic growth and job creation, as well as education and youth development.

“I’m a huge believer that if we have a really well educated population, we are going to do better in society,” he said.

Gomez said he would also prioritize health care accessibility and affordability.

“It’s no secret that the cost of care is high. At the state level, we should be creating spaces to mitigate those costs,” Gomez said.

Environmental protection is another area Gomez would focus on if elected, with a particular focus on agriculture and local farms, as well as other initiatives to address climate resiliency and preserve natural resources.

Asked what makes him care about public service in government, Gomez responded simply, “People.”

“My goal as state rep is to try to cover as much as I can to make western Mass. so that you look at the map and everybody has a decent and comfortable life,” he said.

The primary and general elections will take place this September and November. Gomez’s term on City Council runs through January 2026, so if elected as a state representative to begin in 2025, he would give up his seat as a councilor for that year.

Maddie Fabian can be reached at mfabian@gazettenet.com.