The following announcement was provided by Daniel Lander for State Senate:
Three Watertown city councilors have rescinded their endorsements of Will Brownsberger and are now endorsing Daniel Lander and his campaign for state senate. As Daniel continues to build strong support in Watertown, Councilors John Gannon, Theo Offei, and Tony Palomba, have endorsed Daniel because of his focus on building a State Senate that fights for working people.
The three councilors endorsed Senator Brownsberger early in the race. But with election day just a month away, they’ve endorsed Daniel Lander because they believe in his vision for a State Senate that fights for affordable housing, supports working families, and that will partner with local leaders to move our communities forward.
It is exceedingly rare for elected officials to change their endorsement during a campaign. That three Watertown councilors have changed their mind and are now supporting Daniel makes clear the momentum that Daniel’s campaign is building in the last month until election day.
“I’m supporting Daniel because we need leaders who will be true partners for working people and for local governments in this district. We need leadership that works to strengthen worker’s rights. And, at a time when local governments are navigating so many challenges to support residents, we need elected leaders who want to give our cities and towns the tools they need to tackle our housing crisis, steward our environment, and invest in our public schools. I’m proud to support Daniel because throughout his career, he’s shown that leadership. I know he will continue to fight for working people on Beacon Hill,” said John Gannon, City Councilor at Large
“I’m proud to support Daniel because he acknowledges that the status quo is leaving working families behind — that hurts individuals, mixed-income communities like Watertown, and our commonwealth as a whole. I have seen Daniel organizing alongside Watertown residents and really thinking deeply about how to tackle our housing crisis, support small businesses, and bring an energy and transparency required to meet this moment,” said Theo Offei, City Councilor at Large
“I support Daniel because he will proactively fight to expand public transit, make housing more affordable, and address the day-to-day challenges moderate and low income families and individuals face. Whenever I speak with Daniel, he does not shy away from discussing his progressive values. He knows the importance of creating policies and passing legislation motivated by a value system that puts justice and equity at the center. He will be a strong advocate for Watertown and I know he will support local, state, and federal policies that put the well-being of our residents as his number one priority,” said Tony Palomba, City Councilor At Large.
“I’m deeply honored to earn endorsements from Councilors Offei, Gannon, and Palomba. These three councilors work everyday to deliver for Watertown residents struggling with skyrocketing costs. I’m thankful for their support in this race as I challenge the architect of the broken status quo on Beacon Hill. I look forward to working with them to tackle our affordability crisis, and to build a state senate that fights for working people and that delivers for Watertown,” said Daniel Lander.
Daniel Lander is running for the State Senate to take on the broken status quo and make Beacon Hill work for the people. He grew up in this district and has worked alongside progressive leaders like Senator Elizabeth Warren, Stacey Abrams and Mayor Michelle Wu. Daniel believes Massachusetts can be more affordable and a great place to build a good life. He will tackle the housing crisis, work to transform the MBTA and stand up to the Trump administration.
He has been endorsed by Senator Elizabeth Warren, Mayor Michelle Wu, Auditor Diana DiZoglio, Mass Alliance, IBEW 2222, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, UAW Region 9A, AFSCME Council 93 Boston Presidents Committee, SEIU-NAGE, SEIU 888, and Unite Here Local 26.
The Suffolk and Middlesex District includes all of Watertown, Belmont, as well as the Fenway and Allston Brighton neighborhoods of Boston, and west Cambridge. Learn more about Daniel Lander at www.daniellander.com
Introducing the newly formed Weasel Wing of the Honorable City Council. Loyalty is so yesterday.
(I am a long time Watertown resident and City Council observer)
Let’s see, some years back Watertown was raking in the dough from all the development going on and our property taxes raising. Taxpayers wondering aloud why and how. A Council meeting had Tom Tracey and Earl Smith of the Assessors office to inform us why and they did that in such a manner of all their numbers that even I understood it! The Home Rule petition had to change in order for residential temporary relief. State Rep’s Lawn and Owens along with Senator Brownsberger took action on Beacon Hill, got it passed and signed, we got some relief again temporarily. Having a guy like the late Mike Driscoll, the five just mentioned and some others got us in sound fiscal shape. City of Boston’s Mayor Wu tried a few years back and failed, she even pointed to the fact that little Watertown got it how could you deny the big City. So lets call this for what it is, Wu is mad or upset that Senators Brownsberger and Nic Collins of South Boston went against, voting no. You can look it up, too long for here. So all of a sudden the two Senators are being, in our case by a former aide to the Mayor who is promising everything and has never served in an elected position. Maybe he’s part of that new thinking of we want to be on top without doing the work. So just heard today, our permanent Home Rule Petition has been signed into law or whatever they call it. I’m sure the Mayor is not going to be happy, too bad get your house in order. Many thanks again to all involved before and now, oh is that called making some things maybe affordable? Our elected Lawn, Owens and Brownsberger have delivered time and time again for Watertown, they may not be eloquent but I’ll take them anytime of the day. These are some humble people getting the job done in the big leagues and hard working City employees looking out for our interest not their own. Good luck going back on your word, when you want to discuss labor and small business feel free to look me up, I got a lot to say! Dennis Holland Lifelong Townie and not a politician.
Darn those pesky facts!
To paraphrase a great movie line, “Forget it, Bruce. Its’s Watertown.” What’s an ambitious young Democrat (nothing wrong with that) to do when all the seats are already taken? By incumbent Democrats? Run to their Left—far Left! I’m sure they’d run against Republicans here if they could find any. AOC showed the way eight years ago. The man she beat, Joe Crowley (D), won office three times, gaining over 70% every time. He had built stature in the party, as well as equity in the district. Then, 57-43 AOC, and buh-bye, Joe, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Who wants to hang out with “losers”, as another commenter put it, when you can dump them for “winners”? Of course that same commenter offered this advice a few weeks ago: “Here’s what establishment Democrats don’t understand: if you’re not a STREET FIGHTER then it’s not your year. Get off the stage. Get off the stage. Get off the stage.” May we have an election first? Before we elect roadway combatants by proclamation?
This race between Democrats will be decided largely by Democrats (Unenrolled may vote). I wasn’t aware Will Brownsberger had been a “problem” for anyone. But among some of our Councilors and more than a few voters, evidently, he has become one. Only one of Lander and him will remain on the stage. Even AOC—pardon me, prospective candidate for President, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—had to start somewhere. More’s the pity.
And who will they endorse next week?
Charlie, just a thought. Instead of keeping the campaign photo of the candidate on this article, giving it the affect of a campaign ad, why not display pictures of the three turncoats so that some of us can throw verbal tomatoes at them?
After all, Watertown News is the de facto public square.
These 3 can see the writing on the wall and want to be among winners instead of losers. Look around you, the establishment will not save us (they’ve had their chance). I wish my City Councilor had this courage.
Which will they support to bring to the Square first, a return of a community Post Office or Watertowns first city operated grocery store?
The Post Office is a federal agency. State and local legislatures have no control at all.
I’m with Will. Decades of distinguished and effective service. Haven’t always agreed with him but he has a career in government and the accomplishments that come with it.
People should endorse whoever they wish. It’s a free country.
“Synonyms for reneged (the past tense of renege) include backed out, defaulted, repudiated, and forsworn. The term means to break a promise, go back on a commitment, or fail to fulfill an agreement. You can explore an expanded list of related terms and contextual uses on Merriam-Webster’s Thesaurus.”
One can only hope that these three City Councilors have more of a steadfast commitment to the promises they’ve made to Watertown residents.
Thank you, Senator Brownsberger, for keeping your commitment to Watertown and taking the lead in making Watertown more affordable.
Your steadfastness and leadership on the just passed Home Rule petition undoubtably saved many Watertown residents (home owners and renters) who were looking at having to leave Watertown if higher taxes were added as yet another financial burden…this is one form of “affordable housing”!