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Don Humason
Town Administrator of Chester
Incumbent
Assumed office September 6, 2022
Preceded by	Jill Strong
Mayor of Westfield
In office January 6, 2020 – January 3, 2022
Preceded by	Brian P. Sullivan
Succeeded by	Michael A. McCabe
Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district
In office November 20, 2013 – January 5, 2020
Preceded by	Michael Knapik
Succeeded by	John Velis
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 4th Hampden district
In office 2003 – November 20, 2013
Preceded by	Cele Hahn
Succeeded by	John Velis
Personal details
Born	(1967-07-31) July 31, 1967 (age 57) Westfield, Massachusetts
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Janice Humason (m. 2006)
Children	Quinn (b. 2011)
Residence(s)	Westfield, Massachusetts
Alma mater	Westfield State College (B.S.)
Occupation	Politician
Website	Massachusetts Legislature website Campaign website

Donald F. Humason Jr. (born July 31, 1967) is an American politician who served as mayor of Westfield, Massachusetts from 2020 to 2022 and current town administrator of Chester, beginning September 6, 2022. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District in the Massachusetts Senate from 2013 to 2020, and as representative for the 4th Hampden District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives between 2003 and 2013.

Political career

Massachusetts House of Representatives

In his first bid for public office, Humason was elected on November 5, 2002 with 63% of the vote and was re-elected in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. He resigned on November 20, 2013 after he was elected to the State Senate.

Humason's committee assignments were as follows.

186th General Court (2009–2011)

• Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
• Joint Committee on Higher Education
• Joint Committee on Public Health
• Joint Committee on Transportation
• Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

187th General Court (2011–2013)

• Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
• Joint Committee on Rules
• Committee on Rules

188th General Court (2013–2015)

• Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
• Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

189th General Court (2015–2017)

• Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
• Joint Committee on Public Service
• Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
• Joint Committee on Ways and Means
• Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
• Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
• Committee on Ways and Means
• Special Committee to Improve Government

Massachusetts Senate

On August 9, 2013, incumbent State Senator Michael Knapik resigned to become Executive Director of Advancement at Westfield State University. Humason defeated Michael Franco in the Republican primary on October 8 and defeated Democratic opponent David K. Bartley 53%-47%. A few weeks later, Humason was named as the new Senate Minority Whip by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. As Minority Whip, Humason worked to coordinate votes within the Senate Republican Caucus and assist the Minority Leader in developing policy. He submitted his letter of resignation to Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka on December 4 upon being elected Mayor of Westfield. A special election was scheduled for March 31, 2020, but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic until May 16; it was won by Representative John Velis, who previously won the 2014 special election to succeed Humason in the House.

During his tenure in the Senate, Humason's committee assignments were as follows:

188th General Court (2013–2014)

• Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
• Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
• Joint Committee on Public Health
• Joint Committee on Public Service
• Joint Committee on Revenue
• Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
• Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
• Joint Committee on Ways and Means
• Committee on Ways and Means
• Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

189th General Court (2015–2016)

• Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
• Joint Committee on Education
• Joint Committee on Public Service
• Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
• Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
• Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
• Committee on Ways and Means

190th General Court (2017–2018)

• Joint Committee on Rules
• Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
• Joint Committee on Public Service
• Joint Committee on Transportation
• Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
• Joint Committee on Ways and Means
• Special Committee to Review the Sexual Harassment Policies and Procedures
• Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
• Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
• Committee on Rules
• Committee on Ways and Means

191st General Court (2019–2020)

• Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
• Joint Committee on Public Health
• Joint Committee on Public Service
• Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
• Joint Committee on Ways and Means
• Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets (Ranking Member)
• Committee on Ethics (Ranking Member)
• Committee on Post Audit and Oversight
• Committee on Ways and Means

Towns represented

In Hampden County: Chicopee (Ward 7 - Precinct A and B, Ward 8 - Precinct A, Ward 9 - Precinct A), Holyoke, Westfield, Agawam, Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick and Tolland.
In Hampshire County: Easthampton and Southampton.

Appointments

• Senate Minority Whip (2013–2017)
• Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force
• Senate Assistant Minority Leader (2017–2020)

Mayor of Westfield

In January 2019, two-term incumbent Mayor Brian P. Sullivan announced he would not seek re-election. On March 21, Humason ran for mayor against Michael McCabe, a 34-year captain of the Westfield Police Department. Humason narrowly defeated McCabe in a close race, winning 4,983 votes while McCabe received 4,886. Neither side declared victory as the results were within the margin of error, but McCabe chose not to seek a recount and conceded. He ran for re-election to a second term in 2021, but lost to McCabe in a rematch.

Town administrator of Chester

After his tenure as Mayor of Westfield ended, Humason was chosen by the Chester selectboard to be the next town administrator.

Electoral history

State Legislature

Westfield mayoral election, 2019

Westfield mayoral election, 2021

See also

• 2019–2020 Massachusetts legislature

References

1. 2007–2008 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
2. "Ex-Mayor, Senator Donald Humason tapped as Chester's town administrator". Retrieved August 26, 2022.
3. Massachusetts Legislature profile
4. Lederman, Diane. "State Senate candidates Donald Humason and David Bartley move ahead with campaigns following Tuesday primaries". The Republican. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
5. Rizzuto, Robert. "Republican Don Humason wins 2nd Hampden Hampshire District Senate seat". The Republican. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
6. Kriger, Barry. "Humason promoted to new leadership position". Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
7. Tuthill, Paul (March 25, 2020). "March Special Elections In Massachusetts Postponed". WAMC. Archived from the original on 2021-09-13. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
8. DeForge, Jeanette (May 20, 2020). "John Velis wins special election for state Senate seat". MassLive.com. Archived from the original on 2020-05-26. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
9. Kriger, Barry. "Humason promoted to new leadership position". Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
10. Trowbridge, Ryan. "Sen. Don Humason Appointed to Military & Security Task Force". Archived from the original on October 5, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
11. Berry, Conor. "Sen. Don Humason assumes leadership role in Massachusetts Senate". Retrieved March 13, 2017.
12. "Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan will not seek 3rd term". 30 January 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-08-17.
13. Tremblay, Hope. "Massachusetts Sen. Don Humason announces run for Westfield mayor". Retrieved March 21, 2019.
14. Kinney, Jim. "Westfield mayoral candidates Donald Humason, Michael McCabe advance to general election". Retrieved September 4, 2019.
15. "McCabe Concedes To Humason In Westfield Mayor's Race". Retrieved November 8, 2019.
16. "Michael McCabe defeats Westfield Mayor Donald Humason". Retrieved November 2, 2021.
17. Porter, Amy. "Ex-Mayor, Senator Donald Humason tapped as Chester's town administrator". Retrieved August 26, 2022.
18. "Massachusetts Election Statistics". Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
19. "Westfield mayoral candidates Donald Humason, Michael McCabe advance to general election". The Republican.
20. "Michael McCabe defeats Westfield Mayor Donald Humason". Retrieved November 2, 2021.

External links

• Senator Donald F. Humason Jr. official Massachusetts legislative website
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart

• 1967 births
• Republican Party members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
• Republican Party Massachusetts state senators
• Mayors of Westfield, Massachusetts
• Westfield State University alumni
• Living people
• 21st-century members of the Massachusetts General Court