Dear Friends & Supporters,

I hope this message finds you doing well and looking forward to the spring season. I know I am!

I wanted to take a moment and address recent published reports regarding my aspirations in 2015. After much thought, conversations with family and a weekend in Maine to think, I have decided not to pursue political office in the City of Somerville this election year. Between family obligations and a very fulfilling professional opportunity I have had since last fall, my time is being taken up by the things I love and the goals I would like to achieve.

In the coming months, I look forward to continued change on Somerville’s political scene and learning more about candidates running for various seats on the School Committee, Board of Aldermen and/or Mayor.

I will be spending this campaign season publishing my thoughts and meeting recaps on my blog: Ward 5 Online, supporting local businesses as a member of Somerville Local First’s Board of Directors and reaching out to the community in my professional capacity for the Community Credit Union. Fitting in time with my beautiful nieces, Shannon and Shayne, will be rounding out this busy life of mine. I cherish my role as an Aunty!

I am certainly keeping my options open and have not ruled out a future run for office including a campaign for Mayor.  Somerville has been my home all 34 years of my life and I am excited about giving back to the community that has given me so much.

I would like to thank everyone for their continued support of me as a person and as a candidate and would like to wish all entering the 2015 campaign season the best of luck!

Sláinte Mhaith,

Courtney O’Keefe