Endorsement Alert: Rep. Joseph Wagner Endorses Shirley Arriaga for State Representative

Date: August 9, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Representative Wagner Endorses Shirley Arriaga for House

CHICOPEE - Chicopee State Representative Joseph F. Wagner today endorsed Shirley Arriaga, an Air Force Veteran, educator, mother and former Veteran’s liaison for Congressman Richard E. Neal to succeed Wagner in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

The Democratic Primary will be held on Tuesday September 6th to choose the nominee for the 8th Hampden District seat being vacated by Representative Wagner. Wagner is the Second Assistant Majority Leader and the fourth most senior member in the Massachusetts House, having served for more than 20 years in the House Leadership, and has served Chicopee in the House since 1991.

Representative Wagner’s endorsement statement follows:

“When I announced my intention in February to not seek re-election to the Massachusetts House, I stated that I hoped those seeking the office would �?organize a campaign that is worthy of consideration by Chicopee voters’. It has become clear to me over the course of the campaign that Shirley Arriaga stands above the other candidates and I am proud to announce she has earned my vote and support in the upcoming Democratic Primary.

Her accomplishments are impressive and many. She is a product of the Chicopee Public Schools, and was an honor student and Class President when attending Chicopee High School. She enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving at Westover, as well as in Afghanistan and Iraq. While serving, she earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. The mother of one daughter, she graduated from Elms College in Chicopee and received her Masters degree in Law from Western New England School of Law.

Even more important than her compelling resume are the values on display as she runs for this office. She is smart, has demonstrated a great work ethic and at the same time is authentic and humble. All of these strengths will serve her and, more importantly, the people of Chicopee well if she is elected to the Massachusetts House.

I know from experience that those are the qualities needed to succeed in representing the people of Chicopee and I am convinced that Shirley Arriaga is the right person for the job. I urge my friends, supporters, neighbors and colleagues in Chicopee to join me in voting for Shirley Arriaga in the Democratic Primary. Mail-in voting is now underway and early in-person voting begins at Chicopee City Hall on Saturday, August 27th. Primary day voting is on Tuesday, September 6th.”