Neufeld says she will leave council June 30, declining to run for reelection in November (corrected)

Ward 7 councilor and City Council president Judy Pineda Neufeld won’t run for reelection or finish out her term, she announced Tuesday.

“After deep reflection and heartfelt conversations with my family, I have decided to resign from the City Council effective June 30 and not seek reelection this fall. I will stay on through budget season, ensuring our ward has a voice and vote on next year’s budget,” Neufeld said in an email.

The decision resulted from a “pull between my devotion to public service and this amazing city and my desire to be present for my young family. After reflecting – especially this Mother’s Day – I know that stepping back now is the right choice,” she said.

While “this decision wasn’t easy,” she said, she felt it “since becoming a mother.”

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Neufeld moved to Somerville in 2001 to attend Tufts University and has lived in the city since, apart from a brief time in Floria, according to her campaign website. She moved around Somerville and lived in East Somerville, Spring Hill, Prospect Hill and finally Teele Square, where she was elected to represent Ward 7 in 2021. She won reelection in 2023 without a challenger. She became president of the council this year.

There are other candidates for Ward 7 this year: Michael Murray, an educational consultant and mental health counselor who wants to develop the “Teele Square Pit,” which has sat vacant in the heart of the neighborhood for 13 years. And Wilbert Pineda, who announced his campaign for councilor at large in February but then had a cancer diagnosis and operation. He then pulled nomination papers to run for Ward 7 instead. “While I initially planned to run at large, my current battle and recovery journey with cancer has reminded me of the importance of focusing close to home,” Pineda said.  “Ward 7 faces urgent, unaddressed challenges: rodent infestations, gaps in access to food, clothing and educational opportunities. Our opioid crisis in Davis Square. You deserve to feel safe walking our streets, and those struggling with addiction deserve compassion and support to recover.”

The council vice president is Lance Davis. On July 1, as of Neufeld’s departure, there will be an election for both roles, according to the City Clerk’s Office. Because of the timing of the vacancy – with 180 days or less until a municipal election – there will be a gap in representation for the ward, according to the city charter. But the winner of the election in November will be sworn in immediately rather than wait for a January inauguration.

Neufeld said she was proud of political achievements including securing funding for the Clarendon Hill affordable housing redevelopment, expanding language access across city government and redesigning Holland Street for safer travel. “We secured $100,000 in community benefits for safer streets through a rezoning process, reaffirmed Somerville’s commitment as a sanctuary city and advanced critical efforts to make our community safer, more affordable and more inclusive,” she said.

“Serving as your Ward 7 city councilor has been the honor of a lifetime. Truly,” she said, thanking residents for their trust, encouragement and partnership. “Although I am stepping away from elected office for now, I remain deeply committed to Somerville’s future. I’ll continue to stay engaged as a neighbor, advocate and active member of our vibrant community.”

This post was updated May 13, 2025, to correct information about City Council leadership and add Wilbert Pineda to the list of candidates.

A stronger

Please consider making a financial contribution to maintain, expand and improve Cambridge Day.

We are now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible.

Please consider a recurring contribution.

Donate now