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.

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During this campaign I have articulated a clear vision of a Holyoke that is welcoming to new businesses and supports current businesses to build and bring in needed jobs for our residents. A city that provides world-class education for all of our students. And as a state representative, I want to be sure that Massachusetts continues to be a leader in providing quality healthcare to all of its residents. I know that this vision is in stark contrast with that of my opponents and expect that they would point out those differences. What I did not expect would be for my opponents to begin to use untruths. Unfortunately, this is exactly what my Republican opponent has decided to do.

Recently, my opponent said that I have paid volunteers to go door-to-door and canvass for me. This is a direct insult to me and all of the volunteers on my campaign. Since the spring we have knocked on over 10,000 doors across the city. We have done this because we share a vision for what this city can be. I am very proud of all my volunteers and would not have been able to do any of this without their support.

My opponent also stated that, if elected, I would attempt to take pay from both the city council and the state legislature. This subject has come up before and I have stated over and over again that, if elected, and if I keep my position on the city council, I will not take the pay and I would not run for re-election on the city council, thus saving the city money and being an advocate and your voice both at the city and the state level.

Any person who enters into politics understands that negative campaigning is part of the territory. When I made a decision to run for state representative, I knew that my record would be on everyone’s radar, and scrutinized—both my public record, my business record, and most likely my personal record. But I have always been honest about where I stand on issues, I’ve always been accessible to the public and I will continue to be so.

This campaign has always been about being positive, moving forward, and envisioning the future, not about divisiveness or trying to divide this great city.

We have less than one week to go until Election Day. I would ask you to tell your friends, family and neighbors about the vision that we all share for Holyoke. Not about old Holyoke or new Holyoke, but about One Holyoke that works together to move forward. If you have any questions for me or my campaign, please check out my website at vegaforholyoke.com.

CHECK OUT THE EVENT ON FACEBOOK

Aaron, alongside Congressman John Olver andCongressman Richie Neal, will be welcoming Elizabeth Warren to Holyoke this Thursday, October 11, and you are invited! A rally will be held at 11:00 am at Old San Juan Bakery (408 High Street in Holyoke). We will be holding signs for Aaron and Warren, so please join us and show your support. We want to have a good, strong group there.

★ Meet us at the cafe!
Tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 10), Team Vega will be at the Dam Cafe. Supporters Marty Dunn and David Bartley, Sr., are throwing a party for Aaron’s campaign there. Starts at 5:30 p.m., and you’re welcome to stay to watch the Warren-Brown debate with us. Here’s the Facebook event to RSVP or see who else is going to be there!

★ Do you live in Ward 7?
Ward 7 residents are invited to a house party this Thursday, October 11, from 7pm to 9pm. Email vegaforholyoke@gmail.com if you’d like to come.

★ Do you live in Wards 4 or 6?
If you live in wards 4 or 6, you have an opportunity to meet other ward dwellers at a house party at 213 Locust Street this Sunday, October 14, at 1:00 p.m. Email kristenbeam@gmail.com if you’d like to attend, or just come by for some snacks, drinks and conversation.Here’s the Facebook event.

So much is happening with only 28 days left until Election Day. Do your part! Get involved!

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.

We also urge voters to pull the lever for Holyoke City Councilor Aaron Vega, who may face a write-in campaign for the 5th Hampden District seat. Vega is running unopposed after incumbent Democrat Michael F. Kane resigned in June to take a job with Columbia Gas of Massachusetts.

Click here to see the editorial where it originally appeared on MassLive.com

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Coordinated Campaign Office Opening and Canvass in Holyoke on Saturday, August 25, 2012

Saturday, August 25, goes down in the books as a banner day for Team Vega. In the morning, we celebrated the opening of the Coordinated Campaign Western Massachusetts headquarters at Open Square. More than 80 folks showed up to hear Lt. Gov. Tim Murray’s message of unity. Afterwards, volunteers set out across the city, knocking on 1,500 doors. That evening, the team headed to a fundraiser in Agawam highlighted by a keynote from Governor Dukakis and his wife Kitty.

We are feeling the momentum here in Western Massachusetts–are you feeling it where you are?

–Team Vega

This couldn’t be further from the truth!

If we want to retain a majority in the Senate, we need to knock on doors.
If we want to make sure that Democrats are elected to the Statehouse, we need to knock on doors.
If we want to guarantee quality public education for our youth, fight back against the war on women, work to provide access to quality healthcare, we need to knock on doors.

Earlier this week, volunteers from Team Vega and the coordinated campaign knocked on over 500 doors in Holyoke. Volunteers spoke Spanish and English at houses with tree-lined streets and four-story apartment buildings. We alerted voters to the date of the primary: Thursday, September 6. We talked about how important the November election will be. Most importantly, we started crucial conversations about the direction of our country that will ripple out to neighbors, friends and families.

There are only 74 days left. We all must keep up this pace to win this November.

–Aaron