2026 Massachusetts Primary and General Elections

SPJE Questions for Candidates

Regarding private jet expansion at Hanscom Field or Anywhere

This does not pertain to Hanscom Air Force Base

SPJE posed the following questions to candidates from selected MA 2026 Primary and General Electoral Races.
In the case of contested races, all candidates were asked the same questions.
Their responses, and non-responses, are posted below as information for you to consider as you decide who to support with your vote. The responses are organized by [X]
Visit this page often; more responses will be posted as they come in.

If there are any candidates you’d like us to send these questions to, please email us at info@spje.org. These questions can be asked of candidates running for election anywhere in Massachusetts.

The Questions:

1. On the specific proposal now under state environmental review: Are you willing to take a public stand against the private jet hangar expansion at Hanscom Field? If so, for what reasons? If not, for what reasons?

2. As a matter of general policy, beyond Hanscom: Are you willing to oppose private jet infrastructure expansion anywhere else, at other airports in Massachusetts and in future projects? If so, for what reasons? If not, for what reasons?

3. Will you oppose any tax subsidy for private aviation, whether through sales, property, income, or fuel taxes, and oppose public funding or approval of construction projects for private jets? If so, for what reasons? If not, for what reasons?

Contested 2026 MA Races

Uncontested 2026 MA Races

13th Middlesex State Representative
(list of towns and cities)

Ravi Simon

  1. Yes. I am fiercely opposed to the private jet hangar expansion at Hanscom Field. If this project goes forward, it will be catastrophic for our state's progress in the fight against climate change. While the global poor face ecological collapse, rising sea levels, and extreme weather, this project proposes making it easier for the ultra-wealthy in Massachusetts to fly to their vacation destinations. As State Representative, I will fight this project tooth and nail.

  2. Yes. I oppose private jet infrastructure expansion anywhere in the Commonwealth, for the same reasons I oppose it at Hanscom. Where private jet travel is genuinely necessary, existing infrastructure already meets that need.

    For the vast majority of trips where it isn't necessary, commercial air travel exists for a reason. Between TSA PreCheck, airline lounges, and first-class seating, I'm confident the ultra-wealthy will manage just fine.

  3. Yes. It's absurd that Massachusetts taxes bicycles and cars while allowing people to buy and fly private jets without paying sales tax. As State Representative, I will strongly support closing tax loopholes for private aviation and oppose the creation of any new ones.