HOLYOKE — Patrick Beaudry, a “born and raised,” Holyoke resident with a history of working in Democratic Party politics has thrown his hat into the ring for the 5th Hampden District seat in the state House of Representatives.
Democratic Rep. Aaron Vega is the incumbent in the district, which covers all of the city Holyoke. Vega announced this week that he’s not running for re-election.
Pat Duffy, Vega’s longtime legislative aide, also announced her candidacy this week.
Beaudry, 32, is the manager of public affairs for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, where he has worked for the past four years. He announced his election bid on Thursday, and he said that what’s needed for the job is a fighter who will take legislative advocacy personally.
“I’m ready to step up and be that person,” Beaudry said.
Beaudry said that he went to Holyoke public schools from kindergarten through high school.
“I’m a proud Knight,” said Beaudry. “So was my mom, so was my grandmother.”
He’s also a homeowner in the Oakdale neighborhood.
Beaudry worked for Vega’s predecessor Rep. Michael F. Kane, D-Holyoke, as a legislative aide. After Kane left office, Beaudry went to work for 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District State Sen. Michael Knapik, R-Westfield, as the senator’s liaison to the city of Holyoke.
He then went to work for the U.S. Senate campaign of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in 2012, after which he worked for South Boston Rep. Stephen Lynch’s 2013 U.S. Senate campaign, and then Sen. Ed Markey’s, D-Mass., 2013 U.S. Senate campaign. Beaudry also worked for the state Democratic Party in 2014 and was involved in its electoral efforts that year.
Beaudry is running as a Democrat, and has never held or sought elected office.
“I think that I’m the best person for the job,” he said. “I know a lot of the players inside the building at the State House.”
Beaudry said education is a big issue for him, and that Holyoke public schools getting a new receiver-superintendent represents an opportunity.
“I’m ready to hold the receiver accountable to the people of Holyoke,” he said.
Beaudry also said that he would put pressure on the state to deliver resources to the schools.
“I’m going to be a voice for our educators first and foremost,” he said.
Public safety is another issue Beaudry brought up, and he said he wanted to both be a champion of first responders and those who don’t yet feel safe where they live.
Beaudry said he’s not looking for big-name endorsements, and that he’s running for working people and the families he grew up with, although he won’t turn away support from trusted voices in the community.
“I’m going to be out there listening,” he said.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.