Villamaino opponent: Candidate should reconsider race

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - Candidate for State Representative, Marie Angelides , is calling on her opponent to reconsider his candidacy.

Angelides told 22News this morning that it's not her place to ask Jack Villamaino to withdraw from the race, but she is asking he consider the viability of his candidacy amid fraud allegations in East Longmeadow.

Hundreds of residents had their party affiliation changed without their consent and absentee ballots requested on their behalf.

Angelides, an attorney and a member of the Longmeadow Select Board, says she was upset to hear what had happened but it's just another reason to vote this September 6. Both she and Villamaino are running for the Republican nomination for the 2nd Hampden District House seat. The winner will face incumbent Rep. Brian Ashe (D-Longmeadow) in the November election.

Both the Secretary of State and the Hampden County District Attorney are investigating the East Longmeadow fraud case.

Earlier in the week, Villamaino resigned his seat on the East Longmeadow Board of Selectmen.