Jake Oliveira (D) was elected as the state representative for the 7th Hampden District in 2020 and is now running for the newly created Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester state Senate seat.

His opponent is President and CEO of Hampshire Towing William Johnson (R), who also serves on the Pathfinder Regional School Committee.


What You Need To Know

  • Rep. Jake Oliveira (D) and Businessman Bill Johnson (R) are both running for the Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester state Senate seat

  • Oliveira was elected state representative in 2020, while Johnson has been the president of Hampshire Towing since 1981

  • The two share some differing viewpoints on some of the issues as they make their final pitches ahead of election day

In interviews with Spectrum News 1, the two candidates discussed topics like education, immigration and economic development.

When it comes to East-West Rail, both candidates support development in western Massachusetts, but differ on the impact rail could have.

"I fought very hard within the legislation to ensure that there's not just a Springfield stop at Union Station but there's also a stop in Palmer," Oliveira said. "Because that's very much needed for places like Ludlow, Palmer, Warren, Belchertown in areas that are kind of east of the downtown Springfield area."

Johnson questioned if the estimated multi-billion dollar project will only benefit the Boston area and create new problems for western Massachusetts.

"Is it going to allow people from western Mass. to go east to get jobs?" Johnson said. "Or is it going to allow people from the east to go to western Mass. to buy up our real estate and further impact our housing shortage? I don't know one public transit system that is profitable and doesn't need taxpayer money for bailout."

On education, both candidates are looking to create more accessible opportunities.

"Springfield Public Schools was actually the first school system in the state to make early childhood preschool education full day, universally free for every student," Olivera said. "We need to do that statewide and we have the opportunity to do that partnering with some of the surplus dollars at the state level but also the federal level. People are paying so much for early childhood education right now."

Johnson said he wants school systems to invest more in trade programs to give students career opportunities.

"We need to let the young people know that doing a trade is good honest work and you can make a good honest living," Johnson said. "And if you want to go to college, that's great. If you don't want to go to college, that's great. So I really have been focused on the workforce development."

On immigration, the candidates have stark differences, but both said there is more work to be done in the state

"Giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants does not solve the immigration problem that they're here illegally," Johnson said, referencing Question 4 on the general election ballot. "As an employer, I cannot hire an illegal immigrant. They do not pass what they call an I9 form and I can be charged by the federal government and fined."

Oliveira said he wants to make sure resources are available for those who need it.

"We can do things to help out in areas where we are committed to doing," Oliveira said. "Making sure that immigrants have access to the services, whether that's our public schools, whether it's the other systems here in Massachusetts, so they can grow themselves just as my family came here over 100 years ago, worked hard in the mills, and then raised families and had them go on to get two or four year college education."

Either Oliveira or Johnson will take over the new district which is an open seat as state Sen. Eric Lesser (D) is leaving office.​