Wilbert Pineda’s campaign for city councilor at large is transitioning while Pineda recovers from surgery related to a recent cancer diagnosis, Pineda and his team said in a message to Cambridge Day.
Pineda underwent surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital on May 1. The operation aimed to remove several malignant masses near Pineda’s lymph nodes. Pineda was released from the hospital on Tuesday and is in recovery, the campaign said.
Pineda, 19, announced his candidacy in January. He’s one of three people running for an at-large seat, alongside Ben Orenstein and Jon Link.
Pineda’s team said he will campaign digitally while he recovers. During this time Greg Nadeau and Marian Berkowitz will help lead campaign operations. Nadeau, Berkowitz and Pineda serve as board members at the Somerville Foundation (formerly the Somerville Education Foundation), which Nadeau founded. Nadeau is president and Pineda is vice president.
In addition to work at the foundation, Nadeau is manager at the Public Consulting Group, an adviser to health, education and human services agencies. Berkowitz also works as volunteer coordinator for Somerville Public Schools, where she focuses on the Argenziano School.
Nadeau says that he met Pineda five years ago when running for School Committee to represent Ward 7. “I was running very much on the idea of giving voice to Somerville’s young people and including them more in the process of their education,” Nadeau said.
Berkowitz became acquainted with Pineda at the foundation, though Pineda played soccer briefly with Berkowitz’s son prepandemic. “This is someone who’s just always been interested in leadership roles and solving problems. He’s got the drive,” said Berkowitz of Pineda. “This is someone who couldn’t wait ‘til he turned 18 because he’s long held this interest to run for a position.”
Pineda’s campaign is the second Berkowitz has worked on, having also assisted Dan Futrell’s 2013 run for School Committee representing Ward 2. Futrell was elected in 2013 and served until 2019.
Also on the Somerville Foundation’s Board is former mayor Joe Curtatone. Pineda met Curtatone in as a fifth grader: It’s the “moment that things changed for Wilbert,” foreshadowing a run for public service, Nadeau said.
Nadeau says it will be a month before Pineda can canvass or campaign directly again. In the interim, Nadeau says Pineda’s team will collect signatures Saturday at Porchfest to get Pineda on the ballot. Those interested in supporting Pineda are welcome to assist with meal delivery via MealTrain.
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