Marc McGovern for City Council, 2023
Incumbent first elected in 2013 and seeking sixth term in office
The candidate’s website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Background: Social work | Focuses: Development, economic justice, homelessness
Q&A
Compiled by Matt Rocha
McGovern is a social worker who works with at-risk children and families. He grew up in Cambridge and attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. He served on the School Committee for 10 years beginning in 2003 and has served on the City Council since 2013, including a stint as mayor for the 2018-2019 term.
Housing: “We have thousands and thousands of people who live and work in Cambridge that are on our affordable-housing waiting list … We’re not going to put a dent into our affordable-housing waiting list by building three- and four-story buildings. It’s just not going to happen … You have to build taller if we’re going to solve this problem.”
Climate policy: “We have to be willing not only to pass these policies – put these timelines in and put these requirements in – but we also have to make sure we’re investing in technology, because that is what’s really going to solve the problem.”
Road infrastructure: “I was the lead sponsor on the first [version of the Cycling Safety Ordinance]. I stand by that … We have to reimagine how we use our streets. Our streets weren’t always about cars … Ultimately, I want people from 8 to 80 to be able to get around this city safely, and I think the Cycling Safety Ordinance does that.”
Pet project (literally, in McGovern’s case): McGovern advocates for animal rights. He was named local legislator of the year in 2016 by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Participatory budgeting:
I try to stay away from advocating for specific projects because I want this process to be driven by the public without elected official influence, but I always like to see the funds go to ideas that make people’s lives better and are outside the scope of the city budget.
Favorite place: Danehy Park on Saturdays watching my daughter play soccer.
