A public forum held in Roxbury marked the official kick-off of the District 7 City Council race, as nine candidates introduced themselves to voters on Thursday night.
The event, moderated by Saraya Wintersmith of GBH News and Yawu Miller of The Flipside, attracted not only the district candidates but also hopefuls vying for at-large council positions.
Organized by a coalition of civic and advocacy groups, including Boston’s Ward 4 Democratic Committee, MassVOTE, the Boston branch of the NAACP, and Reclaim Roxbury, the forum provided a platform for candidates to share their visions with the community.
District 7’s seat is currently open, following the announced resignation of incumbent Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson.
Fernandes Anderson, who recently pleaded guilty to two of six federal corruption charges, has indicated her intention to resign in June.
At Thursday’s event, she expressed her hope for the candidates, emphasizing that everyone deserves a chance to contribute to the community.
Fernandes Anderson encouraged constituents to support a candidate who is “consistent and reliable,” urging them to examine candidates’ policy positions and campaign websites for transparency.
The candidates vying for the now-open District 7 seat include WaWa Bell, Samuel Hurtado, Said Abdikarim, Said Ahmed, Maverick Afonso, Miniard Culpepper, Roy Owens, Natalie Juba-Sutherland, and Jerome King.
With a diverse mix of backgrounds and experiences, each candidate had only a brief moment to introduce themselves and address key issues facing the district.
Topics discussed included making the district more affordable and advocating for communities targeted by federal immigration authorities.
In the rapid-fire portion of the forum, all candidates expressed support for rent control, Boston’s new policy mandating that 20 percent of all new market-rate housing developments be income-restricted, and increasing funding for participatory budgeting.
However, opinions differed on several key issues.
Hurtado was the only candidate against a fully elected School Committee, whereas Juba-Sutherland stood alone in opposition to the elimination of the controversial Boston Police Department’s gang database.
The candidates displayed a split stance on Franklin Park’s White Stadium, with Bell, Hurtado, Owens, Juba-Sutherland, and King opposing the mayor’s proposal to collaborate with a professional women’s soccer team for redevelopment, while Abdikarim, Ahmed, Afonso, and Culpepper supported it.
Following the District 7 forum, the at-large council candidates took the stage to address similar questions about city governance and initiatives.
Incumbent councilors Ruthzee Louijeune, Erin Murphy, Julia Mejia, and Henry Santana were present alongside challengers Will Onuoha, Marvin Dee Mathelier, Alexandra Valdez, and Frank Baker, a former councilor.
They discussed their positions on various topics, including the overhaul of the ‘payment in lieu of taxes’ program and support for bus and bike lanes.
In a quick response segment, all at-large candidates supported a $4 million increase for the city’s rent subsidy program.
Conversely, Onuoha, Murphy, and Baker collectively opposed rent control and maintaining the gang database, while Onuoha, Valdez, and Baker also voiced opposition to a fully elected School Committee.
Baker was the only candidate to oppose increasing funds for participatory budgeting and supporting the city’s new housing income restrictions.
The forum highlighted the important discussions surrounding the future of Boston’s District 7 and the varying perspectives of city council candidates as they prepare for the upcoming November municipal election.
Fernandes Anderson’s involvement and the candidates’ discussions set the stage for a competitive race, as they seek to address the needs of their constituents in a rapidly changing political landscape.
As Boston residents prepare for the preliminary election in September, the engagement of both candidates and voters will be crucial in shaping the future of the District 7 council seat.
image source from：https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/23/metro/boston-city-council-elections-candidate-forum/
