Frequently Asked Questions

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL?

I’m running to fight back against the Trump administration, stand up for working-class and low-income people in Cambridge, and make sure government represents YOU rather than political insiders and special interests.

The Trump Administration is attacking our low-income and immigrant residents by slashing social programs and sending ICE to terrorize our community. Cambridge has the resources and ability to not only protect its residents, but to become a national leader in the resistance to the Trump administration’s autocratic assaults.

While well meaning, the current City Council is not doing nearly enough to support folks coming under attack. As the Trump Administration cut vital federal assistance to low-income families, the Council cut Rise Up, a program that provided vital cash assistance to 7000 low-income people here, despite protests by myself and other community leaders. While Trump takes aim at housing assistance, the Council shut down the Transition Wellness Center shelter, one of the largest in the area. And as the federal government cuts funding nonprofits, Cambridge’s own social support organizations desperately need the city’s help to serve people who are undocumented, unhoused, food insecure, or who have disabilities.

WHy IS THIS ELECTION IMPORTANT?

We have little control over what happens at the federal level right now, but through local government we can support those coming under Trump’s attacks.

With your help, we can build a community that serves as a progressive model for the rest of the country. Cambridge has the opportunity to provide a contrast and progressive alternative to the Trump administration; we can protect our neighbors while inspiring cities across the nation to do the same.

Typically only 2,500 votes are needed to win a seat. In the last municipal election in 2023, voter turnout was only 34%. In all elections, but especially in local elections, your vote could make a huge difference. On November 4th, it is crucial that you vote to fight for the city and nation you call home.

HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT FROM OTHER CANDIDATES? 

I am a proud political outsider who will fight tooth and nail to support the vulnerable residents of this city and advance our shared values. Cambridge is full of candidates who claim to support progressive values and who shake their fists at the Trump administration’s actions. But too few are willing to stick their necks out, hold each other and regional leaders accountable, push back against donors and political insiders who want to maintain a system that caters to them, and to demand the kind of bold and urgent action necessary to fight back against MAGA. That’s why I am not accepting contributions from lobbyists, developers, or Super PACS, so that I am accountable only to the residents of Cambridge.

I’m not a career politician–I’m an educator who feels compelled to run because our local politics has become too complacent and ineffective at representing our residents. I will demonstrate the political courage to do what’s right, no matter which powerful political interests this might upset.

IF ELECTED, WHAT WOULD YOU PRIORITIZE?

Actually Affordable Housing

If elected, I would invest in social housing and community land trusts. Initiatives like these house low-income residents in safe, truly affordable areas that make sense- like squares and corridors, not areas far from public transportation- while generating long-term diversity and prosperity for our community. For unhoused people in crisis and transition, municipal funding would maintain shelters that provide crucial services, including the Transition Wellness Center.

Food Access and Security for All

This would include renewing funding for programs like Rise Up, a recently defunded cash-assistance program that supported food and housing needs for 7000 families. I’m also committed to keeping pantries stocked and nonprofit grocery stores (such as the recently-shuttered Daily Table) open.

Standing Up for Immigrant Neighbors

Fight back against the Trump administration’s attacks by issuing municipal ID cards that allow residents to more safely utilize city services. Create on-call rapid response teams that centralize and coordinate relevant city departments in response to ICE’s presence in the area. Substantially increase legal aid funding, as well as support for nonprofits providing these services. Conduct substantially more outreach within immigrant communities and provide material support (food, housing, and medical assistance) directly to residents when they fear traveling to points of service.

Protecting Our Democracy

Cambridge has the financial and intellectual resources to lead the country against the growing autocracy in Washington. We must establish a commission develop and propose short and long-term responses to democratic backsliding, oligarchy, and inequality—not only for Cambridge, but for cities around the country.

To ensure that Cambridge’s own elections are decided by residents instead of corporate and special interests, we must publicly finance municipal elections through Democracy Vouchers, thereby allowing a range of independent new voices to seek office. We must also more ambitiously reform our charter to increase the mandate and capacity of an elected Council, as well as impose term limits–reasonable turnover of entrenched career politicians would make way for a greater variety of new ideas in our democratic conversation.

Oversight, Accountability, and Fair Taxation

Through charter reform, the Council must gain improved oversight over city finances—including line item vetoes—to ensure that our $1 billion budget is being effectively spent on the most pressing priorities. When additional revenue is necessary, funding should come from a vacancy tax on out-of-state speculators and a progressive property tax that asks those who have benefited most from Cambridge’s growing wealth to correspondingly support our community. The majority of homeowners would be shielded from any tax increases through expanded residential exemptions. The truth is, if we support progressive policies, we need to put our money where our mouth is. Yes, like every transformational policy, this will not be easy to achieve and will require a home rule petition. And we will put unprecedented pressure on our legislature to achieve this.

HOW CAN I SUPPORT YOU?

It’s expensive to win this race, and we are being heavily outraised by candidates who accept Super PAC and lobbyist money. Thus, we need your support to get our message out to as many folks as possible by November 4th. Any contribution you can spare is impactful to our campaign and much appreciated.

If you’re unable to donate, there’s still plenty of ways you can help! Join our newsletter to receive updates, volunteer by knocking on doors with us or by hosing a gathering for your neighbors, put up our yard sign, and support us on social media!