Why I'm running

So much has happened in this community, as well as this country and the world in the last year, and I see a Northampton that has a unique opportunity to recover and rebuild in an equitable and sustainable way. I am running for City Council because I want to be a part of that and am ready to do the work to translate the lessons of this difficult time into meaningful progress.

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My wife and I moved to Northampton nearly twenty years ago because we saw a welcoming place where people were earnestly trying to live according to values we shared.  But it’s too hard for all of the people who want to live here, actually settle here. And many who want to stay, aren’t sure they can. As a member of the Planning Board, I’ve had a bird’s eye view of the innovative and thoughtful changes to Northampton zoning laws that have been passed and are under consideration. I would work on City Council to continue this important progress.

I began my legal career here in Northampton as a public defender in 2004 and representing people in courts across Western Massachusetts who can’t afford an attorney continues to be a significant part of my practice. In the last year, we’ve been confronted as a country and within this community with the terrible legacy and ongoing reality of racism and bias. Northampton is not immune and has begun to meaningfully engage with issues of racial and social justice. I believe my work as a public defense lawyer will inform the debate as we work as a community to enact reforms, put in place policies to address these systemic inequities, and empower and bring people into leadership roles who have been unrepresented in our city government for far too long.

For updates or to just let me know what’s on your mind, you can fill out this contact form. And if you’d like to get involved with the campaign, let us know here.

I look forward to speaking to all of you about your hopes for Northampton’s future and how we can work together to make them a reality. I would be honored to earn your vote.