Harrington Kicks Off State Senate Campaign
Harrington says her experience as small-business owner and attorney can help her advocate for the district.
WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Andrea Harrington says she goes to work every day fighting for those struggling with substance abuse or mental health.
She runs a small business and knows what it takes for a local family to make a living.
And now, she's looking to take those experiences to Beacon Hill as the Berkshire's state senator.
"It is something I've thought about for a long time. I was really focused on my practice but when Sen. [Benjamin] Downing announced that he would not be seeking another term, immediately I knew I wanted to pursue this position," Harrington said.
"It is a really important position in our district and I think we need a leader that understands, really understands, what people are going through and can advocate for expanded economic opportunity and increased access to mental health services, better education, and opportunities for our young people."
Harrington is a Pittsfield native who was the first in her family to go to college and then the first to go to law school. She moved to Florida and represented those who were sentenced to the death penalty. She moved back to the Berkshires — to Richmond — and started her own law practice specializing in criminal defense. She and her husband, Timothy Walsh, own and manages the West Stockbridge Public Market. They have two children.
"I'm a mother, a small-business owner. My husband and I own the Public Market and I also started my own law firm from scratch. I'm an activist. I have a very deep understanding of what people in our district are going through both through my personal experience and professional experience," Harrington said.
She later added, "I fight for my clients every day. I fight for them to have better access to substance abuse and mental health treatment. I understand what it is like for people to raise a family here and run a business and make a living."
She is seeking the Democratic nomination against Adam Hinds, executive director of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Benjamin Downing, who opted not to run for re-election. In front of about a dozen supporters outside of the Public Market on Tuesday morning, Harrington officially announced her candidacy.
"I am running because our district needs a state senator who is invested in this district. A senator who has experienced the triumphs and the challenges of raising a family in this community. Our district needs a senator who is committed to leading this district through more than just a few elections," Harrington said.
In a seven-minute speech, Harrington focused both on her family's history and ties to the Berkshires as well as her focus on economic development, education and substance abuse.
"My family has been in the Berkshires for generations- working for Sprague Electric and GE, and as farmers, carpenters and housekeepers. In my family, you simply worked hard... That legacy of a strong work ethic and pushing personal limits has instilled in me the grit that is required to tackle tough problems," Harrington said.
Working in criminal defense, she said she's "seen people recover from addiction when they are given the hope and the tools they need." She says she never gives up on a client's chance to overcome addiction. The county — and country — is facing an opioid crisis and Harrington says in state government she'd work to prevent even more people from falling into drug abuse.
"We must protect our children from the drug pushers that are preying on them. We must drive every last dealer out of this district and send them packing back to where they came from. Prevention is the answer to turning around the spread of opioids and crime," she said. "It is early diagnosis and treatment for mental illness and learning disabilities that prevents substance abuse."
Harrington also voiced support for boosting support for education — from preschool to afterschool programs — to high-tech vocational coursework.
About a dozen supporters join her for the announcement Tuesday morning.
"I'm hopeful that will happen when I look at our district and see the young farmers who have ignited an agricultural revolution with the first community-supported agriculture program in the country at Indian Line Farm. I see culture everywhere thanks to our amazingly talented community of artists, dancers and musicians," she said.
"I see the vision of the Berkshire Innovation Center, an incubator project that will support life sciences and manufacturing right here in our district."
She says all of those sectors will help grow the local economy if there is a district-wide approach in place. Harrington has been involved with Berkshares, which aimed to keep more dollars in the county.
"The shift of just 3 percent in our spending back into Berkshire County could generate an additional $50 million in economic impact. That $50 million can translate into more than 35 local jobs. These jobs could add as much as $3.2 million to the local and state tax base," she said of the buy local campaign. "Supporting local businesses that provide products and services requires creative funding solutions and community support."
She says high-speed Internet access in all cities in towns of the district is "essential" in supporting local businesses.
Overall, she says her experience as a mother, small-business owner, and attorney has given her the "inside view on how state government can do more to help all of us living and working in this district."
The Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden District is the largest geographically in the senate and represents 52 cities and towns.
Tags: campaign, election 2016, State House, State Senate,
