On Sunday, City Councilor At-Large Willie Burnley Jr announced his run for Mayor of Somerville. The prolific legislator has been a driving force for change since he was elected in 2021, passing a dozen laws that include expanding tenant rights, enhancing cyclist and pedestrian infrastructure with his Safe Streets Ordinance, ensuring police accountability, improving accessibility, reducing barriers to affordable housing, and creating first-of-its-kind protections for polyamorous residents.

“With a federal administration determined to roll back our rights, decisive local leadership is more important than ever,” Burnley said in a statement. “I’m running to become our next mayor because I believe I can bring our community together around shared values that will create a safer, more sustainable, and economically stronger Somerville.” 

Burnley brings a record of pushing to increase affordability to the race. As a councilor, he has advocated for using federal funds Somerville received to abolish medical debt for residents, successfully suspended inequitable fees for local tattoo parlors, and recently went viral for calling for an end to the practice of forcing renters to pay for brokers they didn’t hire. The only renter in the race, Burnley was once displaced from Somerville and intends to use the mayor’s power to find ways to bring down the cost of living for residents.

In addition to being previously endorsed for his council seat by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley as well as Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Burnley has racked up impressive union support in his previous races, having been backed by the Somerville Educators Union, UAW Region 9A, the Greater Boston Labor Council, 32BJ SEIU, and Teamsters 122. Before joining the council, Burnley was a member of Teamsters 122. 

“As mayor, I will expand benefits for city workers so that we can attract and retain staff, I will implement a Green New Deal for Somerville Public Schools so that our students can benefit from a fully sustainable learning environment, and we will finally create an unarmed emergency response program to support our neighbors experiencing crisis,” Burnley said. 

The announcement serves as the latest example of Burnley making history. Previously, he was responsible for naming Leonard Grimes Park in East Somerville, the first park in the city to be named after a person of color. If elected, Burnley would be the first Black Mayor of Somerville and tied with James E. Hagan for the youngest mayor of the city.

— Press release from the office of Wille Burnley Jr For Mayor of Somerville