VIDEO: Democratic Candidate's Forum 9th Hampden District

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - On September 6, Democratic and unenrolled voters in the 9th Hampden House District will have the chance to select the candidate they want to represent the Democratic Party on the ballot in the November Election.

Incumbent State Rep. Sean Curran is running for his fifth term to represent the Springfield-based district, which covers portions of East Springfield, Liberty Heights, Pine Point, Indian Orchard, Boston Road, Sixteen Acres, and a single precinct in Chicopee Falls. He is being challenged for the Democratic nomination by substitute teacher Joseph Fountain, who ran unsuccessfully for an at-large seat on the Springfield City Council in 2011.

During a candidate’s forum on 22News on Monday, August 27, Fountain discussed his views on hot-button issues like EBT reform, a proposed commuter tax for Springfield, higher education funding, and drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants.

Curran declined 22News’ invitation to appear in a debate, telling 22News in an e-mail that he would instead be at the State House, lobbying for a downtown Springfield campus for the University of Massachusetts.