News

By Mike Plaisance, The Republican

February 2, 2012

HOLYOKE – City Councilor at Large Aaron M. Vega is running for state representative.

Vega, a Democrat, said Thursday in an email he is running in the fall election for the seat held since 2001 by state Rep. Michael F. Kane, D-Holyoke.

“I believe there is great momentum, energy and spirit here in Holyoke, and I’m ready to carry that energy to Beacon Hill,” Vega said.

Vega in January began his second two-year term on the council. He and wife Debra Vega own Vega Yoga and Movement Arts, 4 Open Square Way.

His official campaign announcement will be Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. at Holyoke Heritage State Park on Appleton Street, he said.

Vega’s campaign website is vegaforholyoke.com.

Kane has held the 5th Hampden District seat since defeating Evelyn Chesky in the 2000 election. He had been Ward 5 city councilor from 1996 to 2000.

Kane said he will announce his plan to run for re-election in the spring.

“But at this point, there are important issues we’re working on like health care payment reform, the budget and economic development,” Kane said.

The representative’s yearly salary is $61,133.

Vega said he would bring experience, leadership and fresh ideas to the seat, “and will always continue to listen to all the residents of Holyoke and be a voice of positive change for our city.”

He is chairman of the council Redevelopment Committee and succeeded in getting a public comment period established before City Council meetings.

The primary election is Sept. 6, to narrow the field of candidates if there is more than one from a party, and the general election is Nov. 6.

This story first appeared in the Holyoke Sun.

By Kristin Will
Staff Writer,
February 03, 2012

HOLYOKE – City native and City Councilor Aaron Vega has announced his candidacy for State Representative. The Democrat will run in the party’s primary held Sept. 6.

“I believe there is great momentum, energy and spirit here in Holyoke, and I’m ready to carry that energy to Beacon Hill,” said Vega, “As your state representative I will bring experience, leadership and fresh ideas to the position, and will always continue to listen to all the residents of Holyoke and be a voice of positive change for our city.”

The devoted Holyoker was born in South Holyoke, attended Morgan Elementary School and eventually Holyoke Community College. Vega became a film editor and later moved to New York City and New Hampshire before returning to Holyoke where he currently resides with his wife, Debra, and his two children, Destiny and Courtney. The husband and wife duo opened Vega Yoga and Movement Arts in downtown Holyoke.

In 2009, Vega was elected to the City Council where he worked most notably on the Clean and Safe Streets act. In 2010, he was awarded with the 40 Under 40 Award by Business West. Vega is chairperson of the Redevelopment Committee and sits on the mayor’s Economic Development Council, and the boards of Holyoke Health Center, Homework House, the Carlos Vega Fund for Social Justice, Connection Afterschool Program and the Morgan School turnaround team.

He helped found the Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success in Holyoke. He is also a member of the Holyoke Taxpayers Association, the Holyoke Community Land Trust, Friends of the Holyoke Public Library, Holyoke Unites, Friends of the Council on Aging, and the Rotary Club of Holyoke.

Vega has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday, Feb. 14 to officially announce his candidacy for Representative of the Fifth Hampden District. The campaign announcement will take place at 10 a.m. on Feb. 14, in Holyoke Heritage State Park. For more information please visit vegaforholyoke.com. The public is encouraged to attend.