Elections matter: a salute to some great 2019 MA municipal candidates

Next Tuesday, November 5, Massachusetts voters have an important opportunity to choose leaders who will represent them in towns and cities across Massachusetts.

The elected leaders of our cities and towns play a critical role in making many of the decisions that matter most, from education to housing to transportation to economic development to protecting our planet.

In Brockton, my friend Jimmy Pereira is running for mayor to create opportunity and prosperity for all families and to fight income inequality, health disparities, homelessness, gun violence and poor educational outcomes.

In Melrose, Lizbeth DeSelm is running for reelection to the School Committee, where she has served with distinction since Nov. 2015.

As the Boston Globe pointed out recently, my friend Holly Ryan is poised to become the first openly transgender elected official in Newton, where she is running for Ward 8 city councilor.

Bryan Barash, a first time candidate for Newton City Council Ward 2, has been a dynamic progressive leader in Newton and across Massachusetts for years. He’s a rising star who I am proud to support.

Tim Cronin, a lifelong resident of Weymouth, has been an active voice for Democrats in the south shore and will be a great voice on the Weymouth City Council at large.

Rep. Paul Brodeur has served Melrose with distinction on Beacon Hill and will be a terrific mayor of Melrose.

I was so thrilled when my friend Hanna Switlekowski announced her campaign for Sharon Select Board.

Kenzie Bok is amazing. Thoughtful, passionate, talented, and committed, Kenzie will be a powerful voice for Ward 8 in the Boston City Council.

I am proud to support Michelle Wu for Boston City Council at Large. She is a dynamic leader who is committed to progressive causes. Boston residents are lucky to have her fighting for them.

My friend James McCarty was an amazing field director for my campaign for MA Lieutenant Governor, and he has been a great central district councilor in Methuen. I am proud to support his re-election.

I really admire Barry Sanders’ work as a social worker working on issues of child welfare, domestic violence, substance use disorder, poverty, and mental health. He’s been a great City Councilor in Taunton and I am proud to support his reelection campaign.

Bill Humphrey will be a powerful voice for environmental protection, affordable housing, and convenient transportation in the Newton City Council, representing Ward 5.

Dr. Cara Berg Powers is an effective community leader in Worcester and she will be a powerful voice for children and families on the Worcester School Committee.

My friend Cinda Dahn is a rising star who will do great things. I am so pleased to support her campaign for Lynn City Council Ward 6.

Dimple Rana is a community organizer who grew up in Revere and will provide bold leadership on the Revere City Council.

Helen Moon is a nurse and a longtime advocate for youth and the underserved. She’s been a dynamic leader in Pittsfield and beyond, and I’m excited to support her campaign for reelection as Ward 1 Councilor.

Stephanie Martins will be a great advocate for affordable housing, quality education, and economic opportunity and I am pleased to support her campaign for ward 2 city councilor in Everett.

Jason LaForest has been a committed advocate for patients and vulnerable populations as a nurse and member of the North Adams City Council. I enthusiastically support his reelection.

Nina Liang has been an effective leader on in Quincy and a powerful voice for women across Massachusetts. I strongly support her reelection to the Quincy City Council at large.

I have been so impressed with John Drinkwater’s leadership on economic development and on behalf of working families and I am confident he will be a great leader as a member of the Lowell City Council

Joe Sherlock is a dynamic Teach for America alumnus who will bring new ideas and energy to the Haverhill City Council. I’m pleased to support him.

Alice Merkl has been an important voice in Salem and across MA fighting for issues like voting rights, women’s rights, and social Justice, and she’ll be a great Salem City Councilor at large.