Richard Neal(D-MA2) and John Olver (D-MA1), May have to run for new combined district seat in 2012 - photo Springfield Republican.
From: Masslive.com (Springfield Republican) – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA2) announced yesterday that he would seek re-election to Congress in 2012. Neal has held the seat since 1989 and faced his first challenge in 2010 in Republican Tom Wesley, a political newcomer who garnered 40% of the vote in the district, exceeding pundit’s expectations showing Neal as powerhouse taking 75% of the vote. There will be several challengers to Neal’s seat in 2012, however, that will depend upon the Commonwealth’s redistricting due to a significant loss in population forcing the loss of a Congressional seat. As of this time, it is unclear which district will be lost in the state, with some speculation that the 1st and 2nd districts will be merged, having the lowest populations.
Massachusetts has lost population consistent with increased taxes and joins other similarly high tax states in losing seats. From urbangrounds.com via Washington Examiner:
New York and Ohio are likely to lose two seats each, while Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania will be down one apiece. The average top state personal income tax rate in these loser states: 6.05 percent.
Therefore, Neal, who had been vying for the top slot on the Ways and Means Committee prior to the Nov. 2nd election which saw an historical power shift in the House, with Democrat losses the highest since the 1930’s, is now relegated to “ranking member”, with the possibility of the current district, east of Springfield, being merged with part of the 3rd district held by McGovern, leaving the 1st District alive and well under the direction of John Olver who will face an in party challenge from Berkshire Register of Deeds and former state Sen. Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr., a Pittsfield lawyer, is running for the 2012 Democratic nomination for the seat and has a fund-raising event scheduled for Thursday.
With the possibility of the District Loss, Neal may have to face a three way primary challenge against fellow Congressman John Olver (D-MA1) and Nucifero. Neal, a former schoolteacher, first ran for elected office in 1984 and won the seat as Mayor of Springfield, he was elected to the Congress upon the retirement of Democrat Edward Boland, facing no opposition in 1989. Neal, who has been dubbed “Nancy Pelosi’s and Irelands Tax-Man on the Hill” votes straight party line 98% of the time. In the waning hours of the 111th Congress, Neal and other House Democrats plan to force a vote on tax cuts, proposing the Progressive model of increasing taxes on all businesses and income over $250,000 while negotiations between the White House and Senior members of the House and Senate are still taking place. A purely political stunt designed to embarrass the incoming majority. The Bush Tax Cuts are set to expire on the 1st of January, with an across the board increase in taxes for all Americans. The Democrats in both Houses and the Administration appear to be stalling and allowing these tax increases to go through, which will, in all likelihood extend the current economic crisis. The blame will rest solely on those who failed to move this issue forward over the past two years, and, Neal, who held a high ranking seat on the Ways and Means Committee, had the power to do so.
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