Cambridge Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem has officially announced that he’ll run for state Senate in the 2nd Middlesex District this fall, joining a growing field seeking Sen. Patricia Jehlen’s seat.
Azeem, who first told the Cambridge Day that he was considering entering the race last month, made the announcement on Instagram this morning.
“Right now, we settle for managing problems instead of solving them,” Azeem said in the post. Action on MBTA expansion, housing, climate, and support for families should be more dramatic, he suggested.
“My record shows that progress is possible,” the post continued, citing Azeem’s record as part of the City Council. Azeem was elected to the Council in 2021 and was elected Vice Mayor last month. He said he will remain on city council during the campaign but will resign his seat if he wins.
Azeem will hold a campaign kickoff event Wednesday Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Somerville Armory.
He’s one of four candidates to announce since Jehlen said in December that she wouldn’t seek re-election for the seat, which she’s held for 20 years. Somerville City Councilor Matt McLaughlin, Winchester School Committee member Tom Hopcroft, and state Rep. Christine Barber have also formally announced.
State Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, who represents the 27th Middlesex District, has said that she’s considering joining the race.
Meanwhile, Somerville councilor at-large Will Mbah will run for Barber’s seat representing the 34th Middlesex District.
“This campaign is about showing up, listening closely, and fighting for a Commonwealth that works for everyone, from housing affordability and worker protections to climate resilience, strong public schools and immigrant rights,” Mbah posted on Instagram last week.
This story was updated to correct the day of an event held by Burhan Azeem. It will be Wednesday Feb. 25.
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