Maura Doyle has been an exemplary Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of Suffolk County and I am honored to count her as a longtime friend as well. As the first woman elected to countywide office in Suffolk, she has been a trailblazer, and I am grateful to her for her service.
With the strong urging of friends and supporters across the county, I am enthusiastically seeking the SJC clerkship. I believe that, at this perilous moment for our democracy, the people of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop deserve an elected representative who will take an unwavering approach to ensuring that the court system's caseload is managed responsibly, that we uphold matters relating to Bar Admission and the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts effectively, and that the court handle interactions with state boards and agencies in a manner that effectuates the competent, productive operation of the people's government. As a City Councilor, I battled efforts to compromise Bostonians' constitutional voting rights, and I will bring the same uncompromising stance to ensure equity under the law. The residents of Suffolk County deserve someone in that office who is committed first to serving them, and advocating for their rights before the law.
As someone who grew up in Dorchester, raised her family here as a single mother, taught in the Boston Public Schools for more than two decades, and now has served constituents across the city as a Boston City Councilor, I am prepared to take on this vital role. As Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of Suffolk County, I will uphold the integrity and efficiency of the judicial process. I will bring to the clerkship the same work ethic that has marked my time on the Council. I have worked hard to represent residents in all corners of the city and will bring that same level of commitment and advocacy to all corners of Suffolk County.
Knowing how important strong unions are to the quality of life for all Bostonians, I will ensure that the City of Boston maintains its commitment to prevailing wage contracts with vendors and contractors, and expands its programs to encourage younger Boston residents to apply for trade union training and apprentice programs, and continue to advocate at the State House for laws and protections for all unions and working families. These will be among my most important priorities as a City Councilor.
I spent more than 23 years as a classroom teacher and a proud Boston Teachers Union member. My family has always been union members through several generations. My father, grandfather, uncles, and cousins have been members of Local 223 for more than 70 years. As a lifelong resident of a close-knit Dorchester neighborhood, I’m proud to count many carpenters and other tradesmen and women as personal friends.
One of the main reasons I am running for City Council is to help ensure that the City of Boston is a place where union workers want to live and raise their families. When union workers live, work, and enjoy their free time in our neighborhoods, everybody benefits. I want every union worker to feel that the City where they work is also the City where they want to buy a home, send their kids to school, and relax on a Sunday in the park. It's important to me personally and professionally for the public to better understand the importance, value and quality of a Union job and how important Union pathways will be in Bringing Boston Back. Together.
We need a strong union voice on the Council. Someone who understands the value and needs of our unions. Someone who will speak up and advocate for our working families.