Why I’m Running for Ward 5 City Council
Putting Neighbors First and Delivering Results for Our Community
Earlier this year, I launched a campaign to become Somerville’s next mayor. I entered that race because I deeply believe our city needs bold, practical leadership — someone willing to tackle tough problems and deliver meaningful results. That belief hasn’t changed, but along the way, something became clear: the place where I can have the greatest and most immediate impact is right here, in my own neighborhood, Ward 5.
Ward 5 is more than where I live — it’s the community my partner James and I chose to call home, the place where we’re building our family, and the neighborhood that first inspired me to step up and serve. My decision to run for City Council is driven by a simple idea: meaningful change starts where we live — right here, right now.
As the Diversity Officer for our Ward Committee, I’ve seen firsthand just how vibrant and diverse our ward truly is; home to working families, renters, homeowners, seniors, small business owners, educators, artists, and newcomers alike. Despite our diversity, we share common struggles: housing costs continue to climb, critical infrastructure like roads and sidewalks need serious investment, and city services can feel frustratingly slow or inconsistent. To solve these problems, we need leadership focused on practical, real-world solutions, clear communication, and genuine accountability.
I’m not a politician; I’m a builder and a problem-solver. I’ve spent my career starting companies, creating jobs, helping small businesses grow, and negotiating complex issues where failure wasn’t an option. I know what it means to listen closely, work tirelessly, and deliver tangible results.
But leadership is more than simply solving problems. It’s about standing firmly for our shared values, especially when those values are tested. Somerville prides itself on being safe and welcoming for all people; no matter their background, their language, or their immigration status. Recently, threats of federal government overreach, including ICE deportations without due process, have challenged that core value.
As your City Councilor, I will never stay silent in the face of such threats. I will protect every resident’s rights and dignity, ensuring that Ward 5 — and Somerville as a whole — remains a safe, welcoming place for everyone who calls this city home.
Some of priorities as your City Councilor include:
Affordable, Mixed-Income Housing: Championing development that includes middle- and working-class families, while protecting existing residents from displacement.
Infrastructure That Works: Prioritizing immediate repairs to roads, sidewalks, and parks; especially in historically overlooked areas like Magoun Square.
Thriving Public Spaces and Green Areas: Expanding, maintaining, and improving Ward 5’s parks, green spaces, and public gathering areas to strengthen community connection and quality of life.
Unblocking Small Business Growth: Cutting red tape to make it easier for local entrepreneurs to open, operate, and thrive.
Transparent, Accountable City Services: Demanding responsiveness and follow-through from every department, with clear standards and public accountability.
Defending Civil Liberties and Immigrant Families: Opposing unlawful federal overreach and ensuring due process for all residents, because no one should live in fear in our Ward, let alone Somerville.
Real-Time, Resident-Focused Leadership: Providing in-person and virtual office hours, hands-on support with city issues, and tracking 311 trends to fix root causes, not just symptoms.
I’m running because Ward 5 deserves thoughtful, results-driven leadership that puts people first. On our City Council, I’ll bring the same urgency, focus, and follow-through that have defined my career: from the private sector to public service. I’ll lead by listening, act with purpose, and make sure every resident doesn’t just have a vote, but a real voice at City Hall.
If you’re ready for action over slogans, and solutions over politics as usual, I’m ready to get to work.
Let’s build a stronger Ward 5, together.