By Matt McLaughlin
City Councilor, Ward 1

Tracey Leah Pratt for Councilor At Large

If I can convince people to vote for only one person it would be Tracey Leah Pratt. I’m not supporting her because she would be the first African American woman to serve on the City Council, or because our ideals are perfectly aligned on every single issue. I’m supporting her because I truly believe her voice is needed at city hall.  

Tracey is not a politician. She is an educator both professionally and in everyday life. While some people attach their names to groups or causes for personal gain, Tracey creates groups and advocates for causes in a way that is inclusive and rooted in compassion.  She helped form the group Just Us Somerville to represent people of color who felt their voices were being co-opted by people who want to use the movement for their own self gain. She served as the Ward 1 Democratic Committee chair and helped select the city’s first Race and Social Justice director.

Tracey’s most important work, however, is with children of color in Somerville as well as Cambridge, where she teaches in the Cambridge public school system.  Since the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder I’ve watched many people struggle to determine what people of color actually want to see changed. Tracey does not need to guess what young people of color want because she supports and nurtures them every day.  She is also a person who readily admits that there are many perspectives and tries to listen and address everyone’s needs. Tracey is a woman that will uplift other voices that are so often ignored rather than claim to speak on their behalf.  Her calm, compassionate demeanor combined with her strength of character will be vital to ensure those closest to the pain have a voice in the future of Somerville.

Charlotte Kelly for Councilor At Large

In 2016 I had the honor of managing State Senator Pat Jehlen’s re-election campaign.  I was struggling to find a highly qualified field director that would need little supervision.  My job search ended when I interviewed Charlotte Kelly.  I attribute our 80 percent landslide victory to her hard work. 

Since then I’ve watched Charlotte become a true leader in the progressive movement.  She dedicated her time not only to political campaigns, but important issues such as labor and education.  Charlotte became the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance, at 23 years old after years of fighting for education justice. She currently works for the American Federation of Teachers where she organizes for fair contracts with educators across Massachusetts. She is a leader that other people just starting out in local politics look to for guidance. I am fully confident that if elected Charlotte will go beyond the political rhetoric and do the hard work needed to ensure this city remains one of the most progressive cities in America.

Judy Pineda Neufeld for Ward 7 City Council 

The City Council is losing a lot of institutional knowledge in the five councilors not seeking re-election.  I will be the longest tenured councilor next year, despite presently being the second youngest member.  We will need more leaders who have institutional knowledge and a greater understanding of what this city needs.  Judy Pineda Neufeld is such a leader. She is an organizer with experience rooted in this city who will be accountable to the most vulnerable populations in the city.

Judy helped countless women run for political office in her work with Emerge.  She served the past year and a half as the lead of the Immigrant Services Unit, ensuring our city’s immigrant population were properly cared for during the Covid-19 pandemic.  She is a person that does not need to guess what immigrants in the community needs, nor does she try to push her own agenda in their name.  Judy is someone who will put the needs of the residents of the Clarendon Hill affordable housing units, as well as other marginalized populations, at the forefront. I also believe that a city council that has both Judy and Tracey Pratt will be the most effective at representing marginalized people, as well as serving as mentors for the other new members of the council.

Please make sure to vote on November 2 for these candidates, or any candidate you like.  Vote by mail and early voting will be available.