# Event Details - **Event Name**: Democracy Starts Here: First District Congressional Forum - **Event Start and End Date**: Tue, 11 Aug, 2026 at 05:00 pm – Tue, 11 Aug, 2026 at 08:00 pm - **Event Description**: Hear First District congressional candidates, explore voter resources, and connect with community organizations to prepare for Election Day.About this EventElection Day is coming! Come hear candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives seat for the First Congressional District of Massachusetts discuss their goals for our district. Meet candidates and see them in action in a Q&A style format. Doors open early so can connect with community organizations focused on voter education, registration, and community engagement. Are you sure you’re registered to vote? Come early and make sure!The “Democracy Starts Here: First District Congressional Forum” will take place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from 5:00-8:00pm at 52 Sumner, the performing arts venue at 52 Sumner Avenue known for live music, theater, and other entertainment offerings. The event will have two components:● Community Conversations (5:00-6:00pm)● Candidate Q&A (6:00-8:00pm)The highlight of the event is the Candidate Q&A portion of the evening, featuring candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives seat for the First Congressional District of Massachusetts. Invitations have been extended to all candidates for the seat, from all parties. The Candidate Q&A will be moderated by G. Michael Dobbs, retired executive editor of The Reminder, where he served for more than 20 years in that role. He continues working at Focus Springfield Community Television, where he hosts a program, “Government Matters.” He also co-hosts a local news audio/video podcast called “Cine-Geezers,” with Stephen R. Bissette.The Community Conversations portion of the event will kick off the night and will give attendees an opportunity to meet community organizations involved in the event. Staffed tables set up on the venue lawn will include organizations conducting voter registration or other nonpartisan voter services, sponsoring organizations and coalition partners, candidates participating in the forum, and other community organizations on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached.About the CandidatesThere are four candidates in total on the ballot, with two from the Democratic Party and two running Independent—there are no candidates running from other parties (i.e. Republican, Green, etc.). Nadia Milleron (Independent) and Jeromie Whalen (Democratic) have both RSVPed in attendance. Richard Neal (Democratic incumbent) and Anthony Celata (Independent) have not yet responded to our invitations. The co-organizers hope to confirm the remaining two candidates soon.Richard Neal and Jeromie Whalen will face off in the Democratic Primary on September 1. The General Election will take place on November 3, with Anthony Celata and Nadia Milleron on that ballot as unenrolled candidates.About the Co-OrganizersNearly 40 organizations are co-organizing the candidate forumA coalition of nearly 40 local nonprofits, neighborhood councils, and community organizations is banding together to host what promises to be the largest and most anticipated first district Congressional forum in the district. The co-organizers include the following organizations:Chestnut Community AllianceConcerned Citizens for SpringfieldEast Forest Park Civic AssociationForest Park Civic AssociationIndian Orchard Citizens CouncilLeague of Women Voters SpringfieldMaple-High/Six Corners Neighborhood CouncilMcKnight Neighborhood CouncilMetro Center AssociationSixteen Acres Civic AssociationVoices of the PeopleThe Partnership Alliance & Coalition Team (PACT), which includes: Billy’s Pickleball KidsBorn Free Outreach ServicesDarrell Lee Jenkins Jr. Resource CenterDefending Democracy in Hampden CountyDefending Democracy: The FieldsFirst Church of Christ Longmeadow Environmental Justice TeamFirst Church of Christ Longmeadow Social Justice TeamFreedom Writers IncFriends of Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge, Inc.Grassroots for Gun Violence ProtectionGray MattersGreater Springfield Campaign NonviolenceGreater Springfield Senior ServicesJewish Community CenterJewish Family Service of Western MassachusettsLongmeadow Antiracism CoalitionLongmeadow Adult Community Center FundLongmeadow DEI Advisory CommitteeLongmeadow Democratic Town CommitteeLongmeadow Pipeline Awareness GroupLongmeadow Pride AllianceMassachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun ViolenceNo Place for Hate LongmeadowPFLAG East LongmeadowPioneer Valley ProjectRachel’s Table of Western MassachusettsRise Up Western Mass IndivisibleSinging the ResistanceSpringfield Climate Justice CoalitionUnitarian Universalist Society of Greater SpringfieldYouth Fighting for a Sustainable FutureOther Organizing PartnersThe co-organizers extend a special thanks to our venue and media partners. Thank you to 52 Sumner for hosting the forum and being actively engaged in its planning. Gratitude to Focus Springfield and Westfield Technical Academy for providing recording and broadcasting services to extend the event’s reach to public access television.ParkingParking is free and available on the street or directly across the street in the old Friendly’s parking lot. A police officer will be present at the crosswalk to assist with crossing. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/springfield/democracy-starts-here-first-district-congressional-forum/100001993321492242 - **Event Categories**: business, entertainment, parties, music, performances, live-music, art, literary-art, kids - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 1 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 3 hours - Location: 52 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA, USA - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Springfield - **state**: MA - **country**: United States - **location**: 52 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA, USA - **lat**: 42.0835712 - **long**: -72.5745716 - **full address**: 52 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA, USA, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Democracy Starts Here: First District Congressional Forum - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/eabe0cef2c405157c63cafe0d7316f1a23fdc8c6e445800f5984507d52d13478-rimg-w1200-h800-dcf8f7f2-gmir.jpg?v=1783479621 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Democracy Starts Here: First District Congressional Forum being held? - **A:** Democracy Starts Here: First District Congressional Forum takes place on Tue, 11 Aug, 2026 at 05:00 pm to Tue, 11 Aug, 2026 at 08:00 pm at 52 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA, USA, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Democracy Starts Here: First District Congressional Forum? - **A:** Democracy Starts Here: First District Congressional Forum is organized by Springfield Performing Arts Venture LLC. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Democracy Starts Here: First District Congressional Forum is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Springfield, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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