Massachusetts Democrats will hold their annual convention in Springfield this fall, but the city's Democratic mayor will apparently not be at the event.
Members at the party's state committee meeting in Worcester on Monday voted to not invite Domenic Sarno to speak at the September convention. They cited, among other things, Sarno's support of Republican Governor Charlie Baker over Democrat Jay Gonzalez in last November's election.
But Michael Albano, a former Springfield mayor and member of the state committee who was not at Monday's meeting, said the vote to not invite Sarno is short-sighted.
"[He] has worked very effectively with our Democratic legislature to implement programs to the benefit of Springfield and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," Sarno said. "His bipartisan approach is more of what we need in government."
Sarno applauded the party's decision to host its convention in Springfield and said his administration would do "everything in our power" to help make it successful. And as for that missing invitation?
"This will allow me to spend more time with my family and our Springfield residents at neighborhood events," Sarno said.
Later Tuesday, Sarno's office released a handwritten note he sent to Gus Bickford, chair of the state Democratic party. It did not mention the snub.
Mayor Domenic Sarno's l... by on Scribd
Copyright 2019 New England Public Media
