At a recent candidate forum hosted by the Boston Ward Committee Democrats, local leaders gathered to discuss critical issues facing the city, with a notable consensus emerging on public safety and community engagement.
The eight candidates participating in the forum, including incumbents and former city officials, touched on various topics such as housing, education, transportation, and criminal justice.
Among those on stage were Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy, and Henry Santana, currently serving on the city council.
Challengers like Baker, who has previously held a city council position, alongside Alexandra Valdez and Will Onuoha, also participated. Valdez has experience in Mayor Michelle Wu’s office, while Onuoha serves as the executive director for the city’s Office of Fair Housing, Equity, and Civil Rights.
The candidates were united in their belief that police are aware of migration patterns in the city, suggesting that authorities know how to direct people away from certain areas, particularly schools and churches. Baker emphasized this point during the forum.
While there was agreement on some topics, candidates diverged on critical issues such as housing policy.
Baker, Murphy, and Onuoha voiced support for centrist approaches, arguing against initiatives like rent control, which Wu backs, citing concerns for small landlords. Onuoha stated, “Rent control actually hurts mom and pop landlords who have investment property.”
In discussions about the inclusionary development policies that recently raised the required number of income-restricted units in new developments, both Baker and Onuoha expressed opposition. Baker articulated a need for flexibility in the current economic conditions, arguing that more stringent requirements could hinder new construction efforts.
In contrast, Louijeune, who serves as the city council president, advocated for rent stabilization as a means to protect low-income and minority communities from displacement. “Rent stabilization is a commitment to communities that says, ‘Our investments in your neighborhood are not to push you out, it’s actually to keep you in,’” she remarked.
Education also featured prominently in the forum, where the candidates debated the future of the Boston Public Schools’ governance structure. Most candidates signaled support for a fully elected school committee, although Valdez, Onuoha, and Baker opposed that shift. Valdez suggested a hybrid model, incorporating both appointed and elected members to maintain a balance of perspectives.
Mejia emphasized her commitment to an elected committee, stating, “As a parent, I understand the important role that I play in choosing who is going to be in that seat.”
Regarding overall improvements for Boston Public Schools, candidates proposed various ideas, with Santana advocating for reallocating transportation funding towards directly addressing homelessness among students. He pointed out that more than 10% of the student body is currently unhoused.
Murphy, who has professional experience as a former kindergarten and special education teacher, called for expanded early education services to better prepare students. “When over 80 percent of our third graders are not reading on grade level, we have real systemic problems that we have to address,” she stressed.
On the topic of crime and public safety, Baker, Murphy, Onuoha, and Valdez defended maintaining ties with the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), which manages sensitive crime data and helps share information among law enforcement. Valdez argued for a comprehensive study of how data collected by BRIC is utilized rather than outright abandonment of the program.
Louijeune pointed out that if reformed, BRIC could assist in addressing crimes from hate groups. Baker expressed strong support for the center, asking, “We don’t want stupid police. When very progressive [district attorney] Rachael Rollins was in office, she had her own database, and it nearly exactly matched with the police’s.”
The issue of redeveloping White Stadium also surfaced, with most candidates opposing Wu’s redevelopment plan. Mathelier, alongside Santana and Valdez, championed the project for the potential positive economic impact on neighborhoods like Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Dorchester, provided that resident needs are carefully integrated into the planning.
Mejia, an opponent of the plan, echoed concerns from local residents regarding unanswered questions about the development’s implications, especially in terms of transportation and environmental sustainability.
Throughout the discussion, the candidates underscored the importance of community engagement in city projects. Everyone seemed to agree on the necessity for the city to improve its outreach to residents. Baker articulated the need for meetings to serve a genuine purpose, stating, “You don’t have meetings just to check a box; you need to respond to the people that pay your salary.”
As the election approaches, with a preliminary municipal election set for Sept. 9, candidates are gearing up for a competitive race to secure their positions on the council for November’s general elections.
image source from：https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/17/metro/boston-city-council-at-large-candidates-immigration-trump-white-stadium/
