By Sam Lambert
Hello, from the slightly exhausted but optimistic Political team at the Mass Sierra Club!
Small but spirited campaigns were the highlight of this round of municipal elections and showed the power of organizing at the grassroots level. Local elections have seen infusions of money over the years, sometimes adding obstacles financed by private interests, but we know: people power can win!
Our Political Team made 38 endorsements in the general municipal election, with 27 successful candidates. We saw climate champions take majorities in some cities, we defended challenged seats, and elected the first environmentally focused council members in others. We have highlighted races in Revere, Medford, Malden, and Worcester, with all other races following alphabetically.
While there were some tough losses of really incredible candidates, we know that it won’t be the last time we come across their names and we want to be ready when they make their comeback!
Want to get an early start for 2024? We have openings on our Political Committee and are looking for leaders to help build our field Election team. Contact Sam Lambert at sam.lambert@sierraclub.org to learn how you can take action!
Revere- City Council At-Large (5 Seats)
Won:
Juan Jaramillo ✅
Juan Jaramillo is an experienced organizer and advocate for issues that impact people, including our climate crisis. He has been a leader on finding transit solutions that serve the Revere community both economically and accessibly, increasing ridership and options for Revere residents that reduce the impacts of gas-powered vehicles. Juan joins the City Council, placing 4th in a field of 10 (top five elected) as the second Latino in history to serve in the role, bringing his full experience of growing up in this working class city to the table. Revere is an Environmental Justice, coastal community facing the power of climate change and extreme flooding, issues Juan will tackle as he gets to work. We were thrilled to endorse him and look forward to working together!
Medford - City Council At-Large (7 Seats)
Won:
Anna Callahan ✅
Justin Tseng ✅
Kit Collins ✅
Matt Leming ✅
Lost:
Jaclyn Torres Roth
We were proud to endorse these five candidates in Medford, all of whom demonstrated their personal commitment to tackling the climate crisis at the local level. Incumbents Kit Collins and Justin Tseng will be joined by newcomers Anna Callahan and Matt Leming forming a solid environment focused majority on the Medford City Council. We are excited about the opportunity Medford has to continue their climate leadership and lead the way for other municipalities! While Jaclyn Torres Roth lost her race, we are hopeful that we will see her name again soon!
Malden - City Council At Large (3 Seats), Ward 3, 4, and 5
Won:
At-Large - Carey McDonald ✅
Ward 3 - Amanda Linehan ✅
Ward 4 - Ryan O’Malley ✅
Ward 5 - Ari Taylor ✅
Ward 5 challenger, Ari Taylor, took to the streets and deployed an impressive field campaign to secure her win, joining MA Sierra Club endorsed incumbents Carey McDonald, Amanda Linehan, and Ryan O’Malley. Malden is on the verge of a climate revolution with the work being done on their first Climate Action Plan and many other initiatives! We can’t wait to support and highlight more of the work being done here as the council gets to work!
Worcester - City Council At-Large (5 Seats), District 5
Won:
At-Large - Thu Nguyen ✅
District 5 - Etel Haxhiaj ✅
Lost:
At-Large - Maydee Morales
At-Large - Domenica Perrone
Worcester incumbency was the story on Tuesday. MA Sierra Club endorsed incumbents Thu Nguyen and Etel Haxhiaj held on to their seats, while challengers in the At-Large race, Maydee Morales and Domenica Perrone, were not able to break through yet. It has been exciting to see how impactful Councilor Haxhiaj and Councilor Nguyen have been, working to pass the new opt-in specialized stretch code, curbside garment recycling, and increasing urban tree canopy!
Boston - City Council At-Large (4 Seats), District 3, District 8
Won:
At-Large - Julia Mejia ✅
At-Large - Ruthzee Louijeune ✅
At-Large - Henry Santana✅
District 8 - Sharon Durkan✅
Lost:
District 3 - Joel Richards
Cambridge - City Council At-Large (9 Seats)
Won:
Sumbul Sidiqqi ✅
Burhan Azeem ✅
Patty Nolan ✅
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler ✅
Marc McGovern ✅
Ayesha Wilson ✅
Lost:
Vernon Walker
Chelsea - City Council At-Large (3 Seats)
Won:
Roberto Jimenez-Rivera ✅
Kelly Garcia ✅
Everett - City Council At-Large (5 Seats)
Won:
Katy Rogers ✅
Gloucester - City Council At-Large (4 Seats)
Lost:
Chris Sicuranza
Marlborough - Mayor
Lost:
Samantha Perlman
Melrose - Mayor
Won:
Jen Grigoaritis ✅
Salem - City Council At-Large (4 Seats)
Lost:
Filipe Zamborlini
Saugus - Select Board (5 Seats)
Won:
Debra Panetta ✅
Somerville - City Council At-Large (4 Seats)
Won:
Kristen Strezo ✅
Waltham - Mayor and City Council At-Large (6 Seats)
Lost:
Mayor - Jonathan Paz
City Council At-Large - Emma Tzioumis
City Council At-Large - Emily Saperia