Richard Neal

SPRINGFIELD — Democrat Jeromie Whalen announced Friday that he has submitted over 2,000 certified signatures to qualify for the Sept. 1 Democratic primary ballot in the First Congressional District.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, is running for election. Nadia Milleron, who also ran against Neal two years ago, and Bruce A. Hunt Jr. are running in the general election as independents.

Whalen grew up in Belchertown and lives with his wife in South Hadley. He recently earned a doctorate in mathematics, science, and learning technologies, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has spent over a decade teaching high school.