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Lucila J. Santana, El Pueblo Latino

February 09, 2012

This is a translation from a story that originally appeared in El Pueblo Latino

HOLYOKE – The City Councilor Aaron Vega Holyoke hopes to take his political career to the state level. On Tuesday February 14, Vega will officially announce his candidacy for state representative.

“I know that there is great momentum, energy and spirit here in Holyoke and I am ready to take that energy to Beacon Hill,” Vega said in a statement posted on their official website www.vegaforholyoke.com

Vega, who will run for the Democratic Party, has been an At Large Councilor in Holyoke for the past two electoral terms.

The position of state representative for the 5th Hampden District is occupied by incumbent Michael F. Kane, who has held the position since 2001. Kane will run for reelection, he announced to The Republican.

In a telephone interview from New York to El Pueblo Latino, Vega said his nomination comes as a need to “keep alive the democratic process, it is important that people have choices.” Until his announcement, Kane had run without opponents. Vega was in the Big Apple working on a documentary film.

Vega, eldest son of local activist Carlos Vega, was born and raised in Holyoke, graduated from Keene State College in New Hampshire in 1996 with dual Bachelor degrees. The first in Psychology and the second in Theatre /Film production.

After living in New York and New Hampshire editing documentaries, Vega returned to Holyoke with his wife Debra and together they opened Vega Yoga & Movement Arts, a popular yoga studio. Vega is the father of three girls.

The position of state representative earns an annual salary of $ 61.133. On Thursday September 6 a primary election will be held for the position.

His candidacy comes with the support of many people who have told him to run for representative, said Vega. “I’m surrounded by many people who have encouraged me to run for state representative,” Vega said without announcing the exact names.

The official announcement of the campaign will be Feb. 14 at 10 am when Vega presents his platform at Holyoke Heritage State Park on Appleton Street in Holyoke. “The city of Holyoke is experiencing a rebirth. People are open to new ideas. Everyone believes that Holyoke has good potential and I think that I represent that” says Vega.

Kane told The Republican that will be announcing his official campaign in the spring, “But at this point, there are important things we are working such as health care reform, the state budget and economic development,” said Kane.

Although Aaron does not speak Spanish, he says, being Hispanic is a source of pride for him and having lived in Holyoke most of his life he understands the Latino community and hopes to reach out to them for their support, as did two terms consecutive running for city councilor. “We need people to get involved. We need the support of the Latino community to make change in the city. We need the support of businesses and nonprofit organizations. We need residents to take ownership and know that together we can do what needs to be done, “said Vega.

For more information visit http://vegaforholyoke.com