Welch defeats Edwards in Senate primary

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Incumbent State Senator Jim Welch has defeated Springfield City Councilor Melvin Edwards for the Democratic nomination to represent the Hampden District. The West Springfield Democrat now faces no official opposition in the general election.

The new district was re-drawn to include more of Springfield. It also covers all of West Springfield and parts of Chicopee.

Edwards carried his hometown of Springfield by about 400 votes, but he lost handily to Welch in Chicopee and West Springfield. Welch received a total of 6,213 votes or 61% to Edwards’ 3,925 votes, or 39%.

Welch told 22News that his goal in office is to make sure western Massachusetts is always at the forefront of economic development discussions, and to strengthen the region's economy by building a workforce from the ground up.

"Especially here in western Mass., the greater Springfield area, we have to continue working to improve our educational numbers-- K-12 and all the way through higher education. That's really the best way to build an economic base," Welch said.

He is currently serving his first term in the Massachusetts Senate. He previously represented West Springfield and part of Chicopee in the House of Representatives.