2023 Election Endorsements

Zac Bears has been a dedicated voice for climate on the Medford City Council since 2019. In his new term, he plans to work to pass the new opt-in stretch code, implement the climate goals of the city’s climate plan, and further fund the climate resiliency hubs program.

A longtime community organizer, Martha Bixby will lead Newton on banning new fossil fuel hookups, restoring previously reduced MBTA bus routes and expanding open space.

First elected to Newton’s City Council in 2019, Alicia Bowman has proven her dedication to the environment through her efforts to expand sustainable transportation and lead the city’s Climate Action Plan. This year, her priorities include expanding green infrastructure and developing green spaces.

A former shell fisherman and combat veteran, Paul Cusack is an environmental champion whose priorities include improving water quality, ensuring accountability in the town sewer system, expanding clean energy infrastructure, and stabilizing energy prices in Barnstable. 

With a strong background in community service, Josh Donati will champion Dedham’s sustainability goals by advancing green energy solutions and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure.

Andreae Downs has been a dedicated member of the Newton City Council since 2017. In her new term, she plans to invest in walking and biking infrastructure, reduce building energy use, and address flooding and pollution. 

Sharon Durkan has a long record of involvement in various Boston and statewide campaigns. As City Councilor, she will work to protect environmental justice communities, expand sustainable transportation, and advocate for a Green New Deal for Boston Public Schools. 

John FitzGerald is a longtime public servant who currently serves on the BPDA. As City Councilor, he is committed to investing in clean energy infrastructure and ensuring that residents have access to clean water, air, and green spaces.

Cobi Frongillo has the right environmental expertise to champion pro-climate policies on the Franklin Town Council. He aims to create a transit-oriented downtown, a townwide Sustainability Director position and improved reliability of electric buses. 

Carlos Garcia has an impressive history of environmental advocacy in Shrewsbury. Now elected to the Select Board, he is working to expand electric vehicle infrastructure, promote clean transportation, and support climate resiliency efforts.

Kelly Garcia is the Chair of the Chelsea School Committee, a community organizer, and a former special education teacher. Her priorities include improving public transportation and convening key stakeholders around climate justice issues.

As City Councilor, Etel Haxhiaj has led efforts to create and fund an urban forestry plan in Worcester to mitigate urban heat islands. Her priorities in her second term include eliminating fossil fuels in construction and supporting clean technology. 

Tom Hendrickson is committed to promoting environmentalism in Agawam. His platform includes upgrading Agawam’s sewage systems and re-opening electric vehicle charging stations in the city.

A dedicated public servant, Juan Pablo Jaramillo has a strong history of climate advocacy. As Revere City Councilor At-Large, he will prioritize equitable green infrastructure, invest in public transit, and reduce city waste.

During her tenure as City Council President, Kazinskas has made climate a top priority for city government. Now she is focusing on expanding solar, increasing the number of public electric vehicle charging stations, and improving green spaces.

Matt Leming is currently a member of the Medford Community Preservation Committee, as well as the Charter Study Committee. His priorities include increasing electric vehicle charging stations to phase out Medford’s gas vehicles, facilitating green job training programs, and planning green, open-space projects.

During her time in office, Amanda Linehan secured $6.5 million in state funding to preserve land. This open space will create the first new park in Malden in a generation. Now, her priorities include re-greening hard surfacing, improving bike infrastructure, and adopting lower parking-minimum zoning.

Ruthzee Louijeune has been a committed climate advocate on the Boston City Council. In her next term, she will prioritize advocating for a fare-free MBTA system; work to mitigate heat island effects; improve the resiliency of coastal neighborhoods of the city; and support a Green New Deal that furthers environmental, economic, and racial justice by creating well-paid union jobs.

After a strong first term, Breanna Lungo-Koehn will continue her climate work as Medford Mayor by increasing the Blue Bike network capacity, electrifying public transportation, and incentivizing composting in Medford.  

As chair of the Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Commission, Carey McDonald has placed climate at the forefront of his first term as City Councilor. Once re-elected, he plans to continue implementing community sustainability efforts, as well as Malden’s Climate Action Plan. 

As a health education professional, Michael Mecenas knows the urgent health impacts of addressing the climate crisis. He is running on a platform that includes prioritizing environmental protection, transitioning to clean energy, and increasing social equity.

A lifelong Gardner resident, Michael Nicholson became the city’s first Latino elected official when he was elected Mayor in 2020. In his first term, he adopted a resolution to make all new city vehicles hybrid or fully electric, created green spaces, and reduced litter. Now in his second term, he is focusing his efforts on reducing the city’s carbon footprint.

As City Councilor, Guy O’Donnell will bring a robust platform to Holyoke that includes protecting green spaces and fostering clean energy development and jobs. 

As Mayor of Salem, Dominick Pangallo will focus on resiliency, infrastructure, and environmental justice, keeping Salem on a path of prosperity and progress.

With a strong background in community engagement, Enrique Pepén is running for Boston City Council with goals to build reliable climate resiliency infrastructure, promote economic inclusion in the green economy, and prioritize a citywide Green New Deal. 

Samantha Perlman was a leader on climate action during her time on the Marlborough City Council, and ran for Mayor in 2023 with a focus on increasing tree canopy, increasing electric vehicle accessibility, and expanding conservation land. Despite her loss, she increased awareness of the importance of municipal climate action. 

Domenica Perrone is running for Worcester City Council At-Large on a platform to maintain a free Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA), improve biking infrastructure in the city, and expand access to housing in Worcester.

Jaclyn Torres Roth is an active member of the Medford community, and a strong environmental advocate. Her priorities include implementing a pay-as-you-throw trash and recycling structure throughout the city, mitigating flood risks, and preventing heat islands. 

Henry Santana grew up in public housing and attended Boston Public Schools; he is committed to making climate resilience accessible to all residents. His priorities include updating and retrofitting Boston Housing Authority facilities with renewable energy; investing in green jobs and job training opportunities; and delivering a Green New Deal for Boston Public Schools.

For the past four years, Gordon Starr has been a committed climate advocate on the Barnstable Town Council. Now, he is running for re-election on a platform that prioritizes access to clean water, sustainable economic development, and the development of offshore wind projects. 

A lifelong resident of Malden, Ari Taylor wants to be the voice of sustainability for Ward 5. She will build up Malden’s climate goals at all levels, address heat island effects by expanding Malden’s tree canopy, and improve incentive programs for homeowners to retrofit their homes.

As a member of the Climate Subcommittee and a leader of the Climate Action and Adaption Plan, Justin Tseng is a strong environmental champion. His priorities include raising energy efficiency and climate resiliency standards, improving green infrastructure, and supporting environmental justice communities.

Jose Maldonado Velez was a strong voice for climate in his first term on the City Council. Now he is running on a platform that prioritizes creating a walkable downtown, reducing reliance on cars and addressing city-wide waste disposal issues.

Vernon Walker has dedicated his career to environmental issues and brings a deep understanding of the way the climate crisis impacts marginalized communities and public health. His priorities include streamlining climate adaptation city services, creating inclusive green jobs, and eliminating building emissions. 

 As a lifelong community leader, Ayesha M. Wilson is committed to expanding public knowledge about climate change and environmental justice. Her priorities include expediting Cambridge’s clean energy transition, creating more heating shelters, and increasing the city’s tree canopy.