Scott Istvan is one of 10 bidders for Somerville’s four councilor at-large seats, nomination papers show as of Wednesday.
“My decision to run for office is not born out of political aspirations or an ax to grind against the way things are. I am just a – mostly – normal guy who loves his adopted home city of 16-plus years who thinks more everyday folks should get involved in local politics,” Istvan’s campaign website reads.
Istvan is one of what he calls Somerville’s many “Renaissance folks.” Istvan works as a software engineer for a food platform called ezCater and founded Snazzbar, an event bartending service active from 2021 through 2024 He’s involved with comedy, including working in production on the shows “Junebug” and “Improvised History”’ (the latter of which is playing at Roslindale’s Rozzie Square Theater).
Istvan’s experience in small business helped inform his campaign platform. Snazzbar faced hidden costs in getting temporary food licenses and CPR training, which would have been necessary for the company to sell snacks or work with seated events, he said, arguing that reforming permit processes would make it easier for small businesses to establish themselves in Somerville.
Leveraging vacant space is also key. “No more pits and empty storefronts. That is, I think, a universal grievance that a lot of folks have in the city,” Istvan said. “There’s a lot of people who want to be here. There’s a lot of businesses that would love to operate here. Why do we have all these unused spaces, right? And what can we do about it?”
The city could encourage the use of vacant storefronts through the creation of a temporary pop-up permit, Istvan said. “If you’re a small business, you don’t want to spend all the time and energy to go through the permitting process and all the inspections and everything for something that might go away in six months,” he noted.
Istvan is also interested in creating housing through upzoning. Busy thoroughfares present particular opportunity, he said, referring to the Somerville Art Council’s decision to restrict performances on Somerville’s busiest streets during this year’s Porchfest. “If those are such busy and important thoroughfares, shouldn’t we be building more businesses and housing there – because that’s where all the transit is, that’s where the foot traffic is for potential customers?” Istvan said.
Istvan said that Ward 1, where he lives, could provide a model for upzoning. Ward 1 councilor Matthew McLaughlin has “done a bunch of good work upzoning East Broadway over here. And I think that could honestly serve as a model for other areas of the city,” Istvan said.
There are easy fixes that could make transportation in Somerville more accessible, Istvan said. Benches at all bus stops, bike locks and sidewalks wide enough to accommodate strollers, wheelchairs and grocery carts are at the top of Istvan’s list. Istvan also supports Somerville’s Safe Streets Ordinance.
The field for councilor at large is full, including Jack Perenick, Jon Link, Christopher Ryan Spicer, Justin Klekota, Holly Simione, Tuesday N. Thomas and Marianne Walles. Two incumbents, Will Mbah and Kristen Strezo, have filed nomination papers – the others, Willie Burnley Jr. and Jake Wilson, will run for mayor.
Istvan’s campaign calendar shows weekly coffee hours at Bloc Café on Monday mornings ahead of the election. A “Beer & Boardgames” event is on the calendar for June 28, and Istvan said that he plans to organize a comedy event in the coming months.
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