John Velis
John Christopher Velis is an American state legislator and Democratic member of the Massachusetts Senate since 2020. He previously represented the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district, which includes his hometown of Westfield, and currently represents the Hampden and Hampshire district after the 2020 census. Prior his election to the state senate, Velis was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 2014 to 2020.
Early life, education, and career
Velis was born in Westfield, Massachusetts to Susan and Jim Velis, one of three children with his brother Adam and sister Jennifer. His uncle, Peter Velis, served as a Hampden Superior Court Judge from 1999 to 2012 and member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he represented the 5th Hampden district from 1973 to 1979. He was educated at Westfield High School and graduated in 1998, attended Roxbury Community College, graduated from University of South Florida in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in political science, and from Suffolk University Law School in 2008 with a Juris Doctor.Prior to practicing law with his uncle, Velis spent time a number of government settings holding internships in the Hampden County District attorney's office, Hampden County Superior Court and the Massachusetts Treasurer's office. He was also an intern at the White House during the term of President George W. Bush. After returning to civilian life, Velis was appointed by Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities and is a volunteer basketball coach for the Greater Westfield Boys & Girls Club.
Political career
Massachusetts House of Representatives
In 2014, Velis declared his candidacy for the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the 4th Hampden District seat held by incumbent Republican state representative Donald Humason Jr. During the same year, however, Humason won a special election to the Massachusetts Senate after State Senator Michael Knapik resigned to take a job at Westfield State University, triggering another special election. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican opponent At-large City Councilor Dan Allie in the general election on April 1, becoming the first Democrat to represent Westfield in 35 years. He began serving the remaining seven months of Humason's House term and campaigned for a first full-term in the regular November election, defeating Allie in a rematch.In 2016 and 2018, he was re-elected to a respective second and third term unopposed.
Massachusetts Senate
On November 8, 2019, Velis announced his candidacy for the Massachusetts Senate's 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district seat following his predecessor Donald Humason Jr.'s election as Mayor of Westfield. He was challenged by Republican John Cain of Southwick, a businessman and former Navy officer. On May 19, 2020, with the election delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Velis won the Senate seat over Cain with 64 percent of the vote, becoming the first Democrat in 25 years to represent the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district. He defeated Cain in a rematch. Velis was re-elected to a second term in 2022, defeating Agawam city councilor Cecilia Calabrese.Towns represented
In Hampden County: Agawam, Chicopee, Holyoke, Montgomery, Russell, Westfield, and West Springfield.In Hampshire County: Easthampton and Southampton.
Military service
Velis enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 2011 and is currently serving in the Judge Advocate General Corps as part of the 3rd Legal Operations Detachment. While on active duty in Afghanistan, Velis participated in the War in Afghanistan's Operation Enduring Freedom and taught the Rule of Law to tribal leaders and brought warring parties together to achieve peaceful solutions, overseeing all ISAF-NATO rule of law efforts throughout the Zabul Province in the war-torn nation.In August 2017, Velis was sent to South Korea for about a month to participate in joint military training exercises with the U.S. Army and allies. On July 4, 2018, Velis was promoted to the rank of major while on deployment in Afghanistan.
Political positions
Velis describes himself as a fiscally conservative Democrat. Prior to running for state representative in 2014, Velis described himself as a fiscally conservative Republican.Taxes
Velis supported a $36.3 billion fiscal year 2015 budget with no tax increases and voted in favor of in-state tuition for veterans at Massachusetts State colleges and universities at about 12:00 AM on Thursday, May 1, securing about $165,000 in the house budget for the city of Westfield. How the funds are allocated, $100,000 to Noble Hospital will increase ease of access to the front entrance for older adults and the disabled; $50,000 grant for new Senior Center furnishings to make it more inviting to a wider range of older adults, host more activities and increase its use; and $15,000 to stimulate the local business community.He did not vote on Bill H.4111, a bill that appropriates funds for the expansion of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center; rather deciding to abstain from voting, showing neither support or opposition.
He voted in favor of increasing the minimum wage from $8.00 per hour to $11.00 per hour by 2017.
He voted for the 2018 Car Rental Tax Surcharge, which added a $2 tax surcharge to automobile rentals.