As Minority
Whip, Humason will be responsible for coordinating the votes within the Senate
Republican Caucus and assisting the Minority Leader in developing policy recommendations
for the remainder of the 2013-2014 legislative session, while also working to
build coalitions with members across the aisle.
Humason succeeds Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), who had served as
Minority Whip since January of 2011.
Humason was
elected to the Massachusetts Senate by the voters of the Second Hampden and
Hampshire District in a special election that took place on November 5,
2013. The seat had previously been held
by former Senator Michael Knapik (R-Westfield), who resigned in August to
accept a position with Westfield State University. Humason had been a member of
the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 2003 and had previously served
as the Director of Legislative Affairs at the Massachusetts Executive Office of
Health & Human Services and Knapik’s Chief of Staff in the House and
Senate.
“Don
Humason has proven as a state representative that he can not only effectively and
passionately represent the needs of his constituents, but also that he
understands the intricacies of policy-making needed to get things done in
Boston,” said Senator Tarr. “As the Minority Whip, Don will be an integral part
of my leadership team and will work with the members of our Caucus every day to
ensure that the Republican Caucus is effectively involved in all matters taken
up on Beacon Hill.”
“I am
honored to be appointed Minority Whip by Senator Tarr,” Humason said. “I appreciate his confidence in my abilities
to navigate the legislative process in the Senate and build coalitions wherever
possible. I am looking forward to
working alongside my Republican colleagues in the Senate and with our Democrat colleagues
on the other side of the aisle as we serve the people of the Commonwealth.”
“Although Republicans are
outnumbered by Democrats in the Senate, we have no shortage of good ideas for
improving the economy and making the state a more affordable place to live,”
said Senator Tarr. “Don Humason has
garnered tremendous respect from his colleagues for his willingness to work
with other people, and I look forward to working closely with him in the months
ahead to address the issues that are important to our constituents and to
ensure that state government is responsive to the needs of all its citizens.”
Humason noted that his hometown, Westfield, is known as the Whip City because of its history as the capital of the buggy whip manufacturing industry. “I can’t think of a more appropriate way to begin my Senate tenure than as the Minority Whip from the Whip City,” he said.
The Second Hampden and Hampshire
district consists of the cities of Holyoke and Westfield, parts of the city of
Chicopee, and the towns of Agawam, Easthampton, Granville, Montgomery, Russell,
Southampton, Southwick and Tolland.
Senator Humason encourages his constituents to contact him at his Boston office, State House, Room 213A, at 617-722-1415 or his District Office at 64 Noble Street in Westfield at 413-568-1366. His email address is Donald.Humason@MASenate.gov. His website is DonHumason.org.
