CHICOPEE, Mass. - After over 30 years, State Representative Joseph F. Wagner (D-Chicopee) announced he will not seek reelection in 2022. 

Wagner currently serves as the Second Assistant Majority Leader. His term will end in January of 2023. 

“I want to express my thanks to the voters of Chicopee for placing their trust in me to serve as their voice at the State House,” Wagner said. “My work is not finished. For the remainder of my term, I will aggressively pursue an agenda which includes working to relieve the burden of the impacts of inflation on the costs of housing, home heating and healthcare, particularly for seniors living on fixed incomes. 

“I am committed to seeking full funding of the Student Opportunity Act,” Wagner added. “I will also continue to work to remedy environmental and related problems at the Hampden County Courthouse, and to deliver critical ARPA and transportation funding for Chicopee and the greater Western Massachusetts region.” 

Regarding his decision to not seek re-election, Wagner said that it is time to look forward to and embrace new challenges in the next chapter of his life. 

“My intention, in making this announcement, is that anyone interested in running for the Eighth Hampden seat will have time to make a thoughtful and informed decision and to organize a campaign that is worthy of consideration by Chicopee voters.” 

Wagner was elected in 1991 and has been a member of House Leadership for 21 years. He has served as Chairman of the Election Laws, Transportation, and Economic Development & Emerging Technologies Committees. 

Wagner said he is most proud of his efforts to improve the quality of life for the residents of Chicopee. During his time in office, Wagner secured over $120 million to repair Chicopee’s bridges and roads and secured over $175 million for school construction and rehabilitation projects, including for the construction of Chicopee’s two high schools, and the renovation and modernization of the Dupont Middle School and the former Fairview Middle School.