Our 2023 Endorsements
Through our democratic endorsement process, our chapter voted to endorse eight candidates. Two councillors were endorsed in Boston, two in Somerville, three in Cambridge, and one in Medford. Of those endorsed, four were elected — Willie Burnley Jr, JT Scott, Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, and Zac Bears.
Boston
Boston’s City Council has four at-large councilors and nine district councilors. In 2023, Boston DSA endorsed City Council candidates in District 3 and 6.
Joel Richards
Joel Richards is a Boston Public School teacher, pastor, father, and DSA member running for Boston City Council in District 3. He is the proud son of Jamaican immigrants who instilled in him the values of hard work and mutual care, and wanted to take those lessons to the city council and improve the lives of the people of Dorchester.
Kendra Lara
Kendra Lara is a proud first-generation Black Dominican woman, artist, mother, DSA Member, and was serving as District Six Councilor on the Boston City Council at the time. She was the first open socialist black woman to ever serve on the Boston City Council, and gave her maiden speech on the merits and values of socialism. During her first term, Kendra was a fearless champion for rent control, affordable housing, and reallocating police funding toward social services.
Somerville
Somerville’s City Council has four at-large councilors and seven ward councilors. Councilors are elected every two years. Boston DSA endorsed:
Willie Burnley Jr.
Willie Burnley Jr., a community organizer, former union steward, and DSA member who is currently serving as Somerville City Councilor At-Large. In his first term on the council, Willie has made national headlines for his work on abolishing medical debt, expanding rights for tenants and workers, increased protections for LGBTQ+ folks, and passed first-in-the nation non-discrimination ordinances.
JT Scott
JT Scott was running for re-election to Somerville City Council for Ward 2.
Cambridge
Cambridge’s City Council has nine at-large councilors. Councilors are elected every two years with a proportional representation electoral process. Boston DSA endorsed:
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, who is a renter, sidewalk socialist, and DSA member. As a Cambridge City Councilor in 2020-2021, he worked on legislation to add hundreds of new affordable homes in Cambridge, create safer streets, and ban the use of tear gas. Issues he planned to prioritize include: housing justice; childcare; functional transportation; and climate resilience.
Dan Totten
Dan Totten, who is a queer renter, community organizer, and DSA member. During his six years serving as DSA-endorsed Councillor Quinton Zondervan’s aide, he helped hundreds of people facing housing instability and homelessness in Cambridge.
Ayah Al-Zubi
Ayah ran for Cambridge City Council At-Large.
Medford
Medford’s City Council has seven at-large councilors. Councilors are elected every two years. Boston DSA endorsed:
Zac Bears
Zac Bears ran for Medford City Council At-Large.