This fall’s City Council race continues to shape up, as yet another candidate jumps into the contest.
Justin Hurst picked up his nomination papers at City Hall this morning, his campaign has announced. He’ll be running for at at-large seat.
A former city school teacher and attorney, Hurst now owns an investment company, according to the announcement. He’s the son of former School Committee member Marj Hurst and the husband of Denise Hurst, a current member of the School Committee. His father, Rick Hurst, is a former member of the Mass. Commission Against Discrimination and publisher of the African-American Point of View newspaper, which his mom edits. (And, continuing the next-generation theme, Hurst is working with campaign consultant Ryan McCollum, son of former School Committee member Bob McCollum.)
This is Hurst’s second time running for the Council; in 2011, he came in sixth in the race for five at-large seats, falling about 1,100 votes behind number-five finisher Bud Williams. According to the Mass. Office of Campaign and Political Finance, Hurst raised—and spent—just under $11,000 that year. His campaign contributors included former Springfield state Rep. Ray Jordan, Urban League President Henry Thomas, SEIU Local 1199 and various family members; Hurst also lent several thousand dollars of his own money to his campaign.
In his announcement, Hurst said, “I have learned a great deal, met some knowledgeable people and have continued my community involvement over the past year and a half. Those facts coupled with a campaign focused on getting out and speaking to as many voters as possible makes me confident that we are in a much better position to prevail this time out. I truly believe there is a place on the council for a fresher and bolder perspective, which I plan to bring.” He also spoke of the need to attract young families to the city.
Click here for his campaign website.
