The nation is abuzz with updates about the 2020 presidential race. But another election is fast approaching for Boston residents, one that is arguably more impactful on their day to day lives — the Boston City Council race. In preparation for the preliminary municipal election on Sept. 24, over the next two weeks we’ll be focusing on two of the most hotly contested city council races: District seats 5 and 8.
This week, Under the Radar was joined by seven of the eight candidates for the District 5 seat, which includes the neighborhoods of Hyde Park, Roslindale, Mattapan and Readville. The candidates spoke with host Callie Crossley at WGBH's satellite studio at the Boston Public Library.
Under the Radar will beback at the Boston Public Library on Thursday, Sept.19 at 3 p.m. to speak with candidates for the District 8 seat. The deadline to register for the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 16.
Guests in first half:
Ricardo Arroyo – Attorney born and raised in Hyde Park. His father, Felix D. Arroyo, was the first Latino to serve as a city councilor in Boston. Ricardo is a public defender with the Committee for Public Counsel Services. This is his first time running for public office.
Cecily Graham - Community organizer and elementary school lead teacher. She’s a lifelong resident of Hyde Park and a first generation Caribbean-American. She’s running for public office for the first time.
Jean-Claude Sanon – Resident of Roslindale. An activist and radio and television announcer, he’s making his third bid for the District 5 seat.
Alkia Powell - A resident of Hyde Park. She was formerly a city hall staffer at the Mayor’s Office of Fair Housing and Equity and the Office of Economic Development. She is also a first-time candidate.
Guests in second half:
Mimi Turchinetz - A Mattapan-born attorney and community advocate currently living in Hyde Park. She is the assistant deputy director of the Mayor’s Office for Financial Empowerment, and founder and president of the Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation. She also ran for the District 5 seat in 2013.
Justin Murad - Lifelong Hyde Park resident and a paralegal for the City of Boston Law Department. He’s 24 years old and this is his second bid for District 5 city councilor.
Maria Esdale Farrell - Hyde Park-raised community advocate. She is currently District 5 City Councilor Tim McCarthy’s education adviser. This is her first time running.
*Candidate Yves Mary Jeanwas unable to join us for this discussion.
You can watch the full discussion as it happened at the Boston Public Library below:
