By George P. Hassett

Rachael Heller wants to make a difference. And that, she said, is the reason she is running  against Ward 7 Alderman Robert C. Trane.

‚ÄúI’m running because we have real challenges in the city and in this ward,‚Äù she said.  ‚ÄúI‚Äôm committed to addressing these concerns and bringing accountability to City Hall.‚Äù

Heller moved to Somerville three years ago and bought a home in Ward 7 shortly after. She said she often hears neighbors express anxiety about the direction Somerville is headed. “I hear all these different concerns and I want to do something about them,” she said.

She said she plans to run a strong grassroots campaign. She plans to walk the entire district and visit over 2,000 homes in the ward to discuss local residents’ ideas for their neighborhoods and for the city, she said. Interacting with her neighbors, she said, is more important to her campaign than pointing out differences between herself and Trane.

Heller is an aide for state Senator Susan Tucker, the chairwoman of the Senate Housing Committee. She said she is Tucker’s point person on issues such as homelessness, affordable housing and addressing the mortgage foreclosure crisis.

“As a Senate aide, I understand the importance of taking care of the day-to-day needs of local residents, and that will always be a top priority. I also bring experience in housing and environmental policy and will be a strong voice for families in the district when important decisions on housing developments and open space are under debate.”

Heller has never worked on a political campaign in Somerville but she has worked with the Affordable Housing Organizing Committee on issues surrounding affordable housing in the city, particularly in Union Square.  She said if elected, she would advocate for more after school and summer programs for kids in the city.

  Heller will be facing Trane, the board‚Äôs current president. Trane said he has never met Heller. ‚ÄúI have never seen her at any neighborhood meetings or community events,‚Äù he said.

The only interaction he has had with Heller was when she sent him an e-mail last year urging him to support Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone’s proposal to revise the condominium conversion laws in the city, he said. He said he was excited about hitting the campaign trail.

“I look forward to meeting with the residents of Ward 7 and talking with them about my progressive record as their alderman,” he said.