For the first time in four years, John Connolly will face stiff competition in the race for Somerville's Ward 6 Alderman position in November.
On Wednesday, Feb. 23, Somerville resident Rebekah Gewirtz announced her bid for the coveted position. "I am excited to take on this new challenge," Gewirtz, who lives on Lowden Avenue, said.
Despite Gewirtz' youth, the 27 year old has an extensive background in politics. Gewirtz is the former Legislative Director to Rep. Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville) as well as the former chair of the Progressive Democrats of Somerville.
Gewirtz also works for the Commonwealth Coalition, a statewide organization of liberal and progressive groups. As a community organizer for the Coalition, Gewirtz is working on such issues as campaign finance reform.
Connolly, who has been Ward 6 Alderman since 1984, said he hopes that his 20 years of experience will assure voters that he deserves the reelection.
"I've got experience," Connolly said. "The big advantage I have is that I was born and raised, as well as educated, here in Somerville."
Connolly said he spent his undergraduate years close to home at Boston College and completed a semester at Tufts to work on his Masters degree.
Connolly said that his work as Ward 6 Alderman speaks for itself. Among his achievements, Connolly has served several terms as president and vice president of the Board of Aldermen. He also chaired a number of committees and "had the chance to become very familiar with municipal figures in Somerville."
"In light of Somerville's progress, I like to say I've proven a very progressive elective official and that I have achieved much through working with many other people," Connolly said.
Recently, Connolly has worked in close proximity with both the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and residents of his ward in the fight for a Green Line extension into Somerville.
Connolly, who attended a city-wide meeting on the issue last Monday, said that he will represent the overwhelming support for the project - support that he said extends "far into Medford as well as on the Tufts campus."
Gewirtz said she hopes that her youth and ability to relate to the residents of Ward 6 will give her the support she needs in November.
"I believe the families and residents of this neighborhood want an Alderman who has a real commitment to their concerns. I'm running because I share those concerns," Gewirtz said.
Gewirtz chose Rachel Berry, campaign manager for State Representative Carl Sciortino (D-Somerville), to run her campaign.
Berry said she is extremely confident in her candidate, and that Gewirtz's past political work shows that Gewrirtz is "a committed and effective leader here already."
"She's really shown how dedicated she is to this community and has a tremendous amount of support even at this early stage," Berry said.
Ward 6, which encompasses the Somerville portion of the Tufts campus, also includes Davis and Powderhouse Squares, as well as half of Ball Square and the Somerville section of Porter Square.
Despite no longer having the luxury of facing his reelection uncontested, Connolly is quick to add that competition is welcome.
"If someone wants to participate, well ... come one, come all!" he said.
