Gumersindo Gomez, School Committee member Maria Perez among 5 candidates for vacant Ward 1 Springfield Council seat
Updated Feb 24, 2021;
SPRINGFIELD — Five candidates have applied to serve out the unexpired City Council term of Adam Gomez Sr., including Gomez’ father, veterans advocate Gumersindo Gomez Sr., and School Committee member Maria Perez.
Also applying for the Ward 1 seat are: Blake Gordon, a former manager of the Tap Sports Bar at MGM Springfield; Democratic campaign volunteer Valerie Gonzalez and Hussein Abdi, a University of Massachusetts Amherst junior majoring in political science and founder of 413Vote.
Gumersindo Gomez said in his letter of application that he will not run for the seat in the fall, seeking to step down after serving out the remainder of the term ending Jan. 1. He was the only candidate who made that promise, according to letters made public by the clerk of the board.