Press & Media

This article originally appeared on MassLive.com and in The Republican newspaper.

HOLYOKE — Aaron M. Vega rolled to victory in Tuesday’s election for state representative as the Democratic city councilor beat two other candidates for the vacant seat.

“I think the vision that I provided people, the belief that together we can be one Holyoke and move the city forward” resonated with voters, said Vega, councilor at large.

“You run the right campaign, through the whole city, that every ward matters – we’re seeing record turnout tonight,” Vega said.

Voting was steady at polls in the seven wards throughout the day, with a turnout of about 61 percent, officials said.

With 12 of 14 precincts’ totals in, according to unofficial numbers from the Vega campaign, Vega received 8,126 votes to 2,961 for Linda L. Vacon, a city councilor and the Republican nominee, and 2,741 for Jerome T. Hobert, the Green-Rainbow Party nominee.
Vega takes over the 5th Hampden District from Democrat Michael F. Kane, who held the seat since 2001 before taking a job with Columbia Gas of Massachusetts in June.

Vega, 42, is a city councilor at large in his second two-year term. He is a freelance video editor and co-owner of VegaYoga & Movement Arts here.

“I’m thrilled at the support,” Vega said.

Vega, at his victory party at Brennan’s Place bar on High Street, said he was still mentally processing the size of his victory, realizing so many people around the city backed him.
“It’s kind of surreal because when I was standing out today, people I didn’t know were coming up to me and saying they voted for me. You don’t know the effect you have (on people), because you’re just doing the work,” Vega said.

Vacon, 58, is the city councilor for Ward 5 in her second two-year term. She is health services director at Loomis House.

Vacon said in a voice mail message she had congratulated Vega and appreciated the devotion of her campaign volunteers.

“I knew it was a steep climb when I got into the race. I am very proud of my campaign and all of the hard, dedicated work of my volunteer team. They were outstanding,” Vacon said.

Hobert, 59, has never held elected office. He works in sales for Power Quality Solutions, of Glastonbury, Conn. His family has been part of the city since 1894, and the Hobert Funeral Home here is run by his brother’s family.
Hobert said he wishes Vega well.

“As I said in the campaign, I tip my hat to Aaron Vega and wish him nothing but the best. I think Linda Vacon and I split the rest of the vote, that’s how I’m seeing it so far. I was always taught to be a humble winner and a gracious loser,” Hobert said.

Kane’s influence remained despite his withdrawal from the race. His name remained on the ballot in the Sept. 6 primary election because he’d filed nomination papers to keep the seat before taking the private-sector job, and he drew 999 votes. He took a shot at Vega in June when he said he hoped a candidate “other than Vega” would emerge with views similar to his own. Kane hasn’t returned calls seeking comment.

AARON VEGA – What makes Aaron Vega the best candidate for the position of State Representative in the 5th Hampden District?

On November 6, Holyoke has the opportunity to elect their next state representative and I believe I am the best candidate for that position. As one of Holyoke’s at-large councilors for the past two terms, I have worked diligently on public safety issues, business development, public engagement and have been a strong voice of smart spending measures.

In addition to my work on city council, I was a member of the Morgan School turnaround team that designed a plan that was accepted by the state to improve the education of our children. Additionally, I was asked to join the Dean Technical High School Futures Team to be sure that school provides the opportunities needed for our youth.

I also sit on the Connections After School Program Advisory Board, ensuring quality after school programs for all of our children. For me, education is priority one. Making sure we receive the needed funds and support for our schools fromthe state will be one of my most important duties.

As chair of the redevelopment subcommittee, I have worked closely with city planners and leaders, engineers, the building department, and the public to make Holyoke a business-friendly city. It will be my job to market our city on the state level to attract large and small companies as well as make sure that entrepreneurs have the tools they need to open their companies here in Holyoke. As a small business owner myself, I understand the difficulties in running a business, but I also understand the great potential Holyoke has to attract companies and jobs.

As a member of the South Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative, I have had the privilege to work closely with local and state law enforcement agencies alongside local service providers. I have worked with our chief of police to bring back community policing in our neighborhoods and I have worked on clean and safe streets ordinances that improve the quality of life for all residents.

I believe I bring the energy, fresh ideas and willingness to work hard for all of Holyoke at the state level. For me, this election is not about old Holyoke or new Holyoke. It’snot about just Ward 1 or just Ward 7—it’s about One Holyoke. A Holyoke that is a great city to live, work, play and raise a family in.I ask for your vote on November 6, 2012, to be your next State Representative.

The following letter to the editor appeared in the Republican newspaper on Friday, June 15, 2012.

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Aaron Vega earns Holyoke’s trust

I became a supporter of Aaron Vega back when he was running for his first term as a city councilor. I knew of him as the guy with the yoga studio downtown but didn’t know him personally.

I was impressed by his way of responding to questions with thoughtfulness and knowledge of the background of issues. I decided to vote for him based on his strong performance at a campaign forum.

As a city councilor, Vega , to me, has been one of the few independent voices on the council, something we need in this city that sometimes seems like a lot of old battling new. Vega stays above all that.

It’s important that my future state representative share my values – marriage equality, women’s rights, etc., – but I think it’s just as important that he or she takes a measured approach to decision making. Any candidate can talk about bringing home the bacon, but what about carefully weighing issues in a way that is sustainable for the future? That’s the kind of city councilor Vega is and the kind of representative he will be.

– KRISTEN BEAM, Holyoke