VIDEO: Republican Candidate's Forum, 2nd Hampden District

(WWLP) - Two Republican candidates are seeking the Republican nomination to represent the 2nd Hampden District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Longmeadow Select Board Member Marie Angelides and former East Longmeadow Selectman Jack Vilamaino are vying to be their party’s candidate to run against two-term incumbent Rep. Brian Ashe (D-Longmeadow).

While Villamaino initially accepted 22News’ invitation to debate Angelides, he was not at the 22News Broadcast Center for the debate on Wednesday, August 29.

Villamaino resigned his seat on the Board of Selectmen of East Longmeadow in mid-August amid an investigation on ballot and voting improprieties in town. He has not been charged with a crime.

During the forum, Angelides talked about the fraud scandal, as well as statewide issues like cell phone use while driving, taxes, and job creation.

The 2nd Hampden District includes all of the towns of Longmeadow, Hampden, and Monson, and most of East Longmeadow.

The state primary is Thursday, September 6.