Donald Humason Jr.

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

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%.[4][5] 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.[6] 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;[7] it was won by Representative John Velis, who previously won the 2014 special election to succeed Humason in the House.[8]

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

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.

• Senate Minority Whip (2013–2017)[9]
• Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force[10]
• Senate Assistant Minority Leader (2017–2020)[11]

In January 2019, two-term incumbent Mayor Brian P. Sullivan announced he would not seek re-election.[12] On March 21, Humason ran for mayor against Michael McCabe, a 34-year captain of the Westfield Police Department.[13][14] 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.[15] He ran for re-election to a second term in 2021, but lost to McCabe in a rematch.[16]

After his tenure as Mayor of Westfield ended, Humason was chosen by the Chester selectboard to be the next town administrator.[17]