SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Independent congressional candidate Nadia Milleron says she has found a formula to address the financial pressures leaving many Americans struggling to pay their bills.

 

This "formula," Milleron said, is to bring those directly affected by an issue, along with members of the press, into congressional offices to advance universally supported reform.

 

When her 24-year-old daughter, Samya Stumo, died in the March 2019 crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, that's what she and other victims' families did — resulting in the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act of 2020.

 

Milleron is taking on incumbent Richard Neal for the second time as an independent in the general election for the 1st Mass District. 

 

Neal is the ranking member on the powerful Ways & Means Committee and is likely to become chair again if the Democrats take the House majority. Milleron's criticized decisions made by the Springfield Democrat, including his support for trade agreements she says cost local jobs, his handling of Social Security legislation, his votes on housing and tax policy, and his approach to rail procurement and package inspections. 

 

"I think we have experienced decline in our district for the 38 years that Neal has been in office. It is time to reverse that decline," she said during a phone interview from her Sheffield home. 

 

"So, that's what I would ask the voters: please give a term limit to our current incumbent now. We want term limits. This is the time after 38 years — vote for a term limit. Get a new person in who has energy and isn't a career politician and isn't beholden to a party."