The Somerville Democratic City Committee’s Reorganization Meeting and Caucus took place on Sunday, April 3 at Somerville High School.

By Joseph Hannigan

This past Sunday, the Somerville Democratic City Committee’s Reorganization Meeting and Caucus was held at Somerville High School. Approximately 100 Democratic Party members were in attendance, representing all seven wards in Somerville.

Diane Masters was elected as Chairperson, Feargal O’Toole took the Vice Chairperson position, Kadie Wallace was elected as Secretary and Mike Grunko took the seat for Treasurer.

Senator Patricia Jehlen, Representative Denise Provost and Representative Christine Barber also attended the event, as did many of the city’s aldermen and School Committee Members. Notably, Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang and Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafuente did not attend.

Also not present was Mayor Curtatone, as well as other former mayors that would have been expected to attend.

A candidate for the office currently held by Senator Jehlen was present, Cambridge City Councilor Leland Cheung, who is expected to be a Democratic challenger. Cheung spoke at the end of the Caucus about himself and why he is running, although he was not even introduced or scheduled to speak.

From this observer’s perspective, the event appeared to be more of a campaign rally for Senator Jehlen than a caucus to elect delegates to the state convention. Somehow during the caucus, instead of just doing business the citywide caucus was taken over by the Senator Pat Jehlen campaign, of which the campaign manager is Ward 1 Alderman McLaughlin.