Mass. 1st District congressional race: Richard Neal vs. Nadia Milleron

Nadia Milleron is running to take over Richard Neal's seat.

Nadia Milleron is running as an independent candidate against Democratic incumbent Richard Neal for Congress in Massachusetts’ 1st District, which encompasses Western Mass. and the southern portion of Central Mass.

Milleron, a Sheffield farmer and attorney, aims to unseat Neal — who took office in 1989, when the 1st District was the 2nd District — in the election on Nov. 5.

Milleron, following her daughter’s death in a Boeing 737 MAX crash, helped lead the passage of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act in 2020, and then went to Boeing’s home in Illinois to help repeal a state law that she said was protecting large corporations.

Neal, born in Worcester, grew up in Springfield with two younger sisters. Before serving in Congress, Neal was a high school history teacher, before working as a city councilor, mayoral aide, and then the mayor of the city of Springfield.

Questions were submitted in writing to the candidates. Their responses were very lightly edited for style but otherwise unaltered.

Nadia Milleron

What is motivating you to run in this election cycle?

Since losing our daughter, Samya, in the 2019 Boeing crash — a preventable tragedy — I’ve been fighting against corporate negligence and greed that led to her death and continues to harm people. I’ve had success passing bi-partisan legislation and I could continue that effort with more effectiveness as a Representative to improve quality of life on key issues in our district. My Congressman, Richard Neal, serves special interests and big-money donors and is non-responsive to constituents. Change from his way of doing things is needed. During this election cycle there is no Republican opponent. Right now we have the numbers to win: 337,000 unenrolled voters, like me, out of a total of 515,000. I can be the first elected independent woman in the House of Representatives.

In December, 2023, Neal was the only member of the MA delegation to vote against transparency in pharmaceutical pricing, a vote directly against his constituent’s interests but in the service of the pharmaceutical companies who donate large sums to him. Four years ago Neal thought the PCB sludge from the Housatonic River needed to be processed and stored safely. Since then GE donated approximately $50K to him and he now thinks the sludge should be in a residential area of Lee, next to the river and a state park. This decision saves GE millions of dollars in processing and transport. Two weeks ago, 325 members of the House signed a petition to go around Neal’s Ways & Means Committee to bring social security equity legislation Neal has blocked to the floor.

By running as an independent, I’m free of partisan influence, so I can speak out for those currently ignored by Richard Neal. We deserve a Representative who will put our needs first—not the needs of corporate lobbyists and wealthy campaign contributors.

Congress’s approval rating is at an all-time low, which is why we need focused productive action in the people’s House of Representatives. We need term limits. The Founding Fathers of our country intended that people from the community, who know the problems of the community, leave their work and go to Washington DC for 2 years to bring current concerns of their community to the federal government to be addressed. Voters want a Representative to be responsive to the 30,000 calls the average House office gets each year, engaged in the community, attending town halls, and listening to constituents’ concerns. I have the time, energy, and commitment to serve. After 34 years, Neal has accomplished whatever goals he had for the district. His refusal to be available to constituents makes him vulnerable. I’ve heard from residents repeatedly that he does not engage with them to address pressing concerns like the fentanyl crisis and loss of manufacturing jobs.

What experiences — personal and professional — make you best fit for the job?

As a lawyer, I’ve navigated complex legal systems, standing up for those who’ve been wronged. I understand how laws are made and how they can protect or harm the public. As a person who has helped pass legislation in Washington DC and Illinois, I know the importance of persistence and clarity when fighting for what’s right, even against the odds.

As a farmer, I understand the challenges and rewards of operating a small business — raising and selling livestock and guiding my children through their own farm ventures. I’ve faced the struggles of dealing with unpredictable forces like weather, market pressures, and government policies that don’t always make sense. Farming has grounded me in the realities of life that many politicians overlook and instilled a deep respect for the hard work that sustains our communities.

The loss of our daughter has driven me to become a relentless advocate for safety and accountability. This tragedy pushed me to confront corporate negligence and greed, leading me to take on powerful interests that go unchecked in Washington. I’ve met with over 200 legislative and executive offices, creating a deep understanding of how the best offices are run. Experiencing these processes from the outside is excellent preparation for becoming a responsive and competent legislator. I want to be accountable to constituents and answer their questions openly—unlike Neal’s office, which refused to disclose if Boeing had visited. We can all see, however, that Neal receives funding from Boeing, as well as the financial services industry and big pharma. I’ve learned that corporate funding corrupts, which is why I refuse to take it, despite the pressure all Congressional candidates face.

What’s the most important issue facing people in Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District?

The biggest issue facing people in Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District is the lack of responsiveness from career politicians.

In Massachusetts, residents are mandated to have health insurance, but we don’t have enough doctors, causing 4-6 month delays for appointments. During this time, we pay for health insurance but cannot use it due to a lack of available healthcare providers. Despite being on the Ways and Means Committee, with jurisdiction over health care, Neal has not addressed this issue or supported legislation to alleviate it. He has also failed to support the Social Security Fairness Act, which would reform the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), allowing our seniors and retirees to receive the benefits they deserve. Furthermore, Neal has been silent on the fentanyl crisis and how that drug enters our homes via UPS and FedEx, destroying lives.

Because Richard Neal supported China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), our district lost thousands of jobs and many local manufacturing plants closed. A healthy economy has a 15% manufacturing base. But our district has less than 10% manufacturing. Prescription drug prices are also a major burden, with costs soaring to the point where many cannot afford the medications they need. These rising costs benefit major corporations, which are making record profits while everyday people in our district struggle to make ends meet. This lack of affordability is creating a crisis for families, fueling despair and contributing to opioid deaths. These issues demand urgent attention.

I am committed to addressing these issues aggressively and working alongside the district to solve problems with common-sense as a Congresswoman from the 1st District.

Richard Neal

What is motivating you to run in this election cycle?

I’m running because our work is far from finished. As the ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, I’ve been proud to write and help pass historic legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, which represent the largest investments in our nation’s infrastructure and climate resilience in history. These bills are already delivering results — creating jobs, boosting local economies, and tackling the urgent climate crisis. But we need to make sure these wins are fully implemented to help families and drive sustainable growth in our district and across the country. That’s what motivates me to keep fighting for the people of Massachusetts.

What experiences — personal and professional — make you best fit for the job?

I grew up in Springfield, where my two sisters and I were raised by our aunt and grandmother on Social Security Survivor Benefits after losing both our parents at a young age. That experience gave me a deep understanding of what working families go through, and it’s why I’ve always fought to make sure that government works for them. I know what it’s like to face hardship, and that perspective has guided me throughout my career in public service. As the former Chairman and now ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, I’ve had the responsibility of shaping major legislation like the American Rescue Plan, which provided critical relief during the pandemic, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which is lowering healthcare costs and tackling the climate crisis. I’ve always fought to protect Social Security, Medicare, and the programs that so many of our families rely on. I’m proud of the work I’ve done, but I know there’s more to accomplish for the people of Central and Western Massachusetts.

What’s the most important issue facing people in Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District?

Affordability and the cost of living is at the top of the list for families in our district. Whether it’s the cost of housing, healthcare, or everyday necessities, too many people are struggling to make ends meet. That’s why I’ve worked to pass bills like the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These pieces of legislation are aimed at reducing costs, creating good-paying jobs, and making critical investments in our communities. I’m focused on ensuring that we continue to build on this progress.

Lindsay Shachnow covers general assignment news for Boston.com, reporting on breaking news, crime, and politics across New England.