Following Sal LaMattina’s announcement that he was not running for reelection as District 1 City Councilor, two candidates have thrown their hats in the ring — Stephen Passacantilli from the North End and Lydia Edwards of East Boston. The District 1 seat represents the North End, Charlestown and East Boston. There are no party affiliations for the Boston City Council position. The field will be narrowed to two candidates in the September 26th preliminary election with the general municipal election on November 7, 2017.
Stephen Passacantilli, 42, works at City Hall as Director of Operations for the Boston Transportation Department and was formerly an aide to both Mayor Marty Walsh and Councilor LaMattina. Passacantilli also served several years as President of the North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC).
“As a Boston Public Schools parent raising a family in the city, I understand the issues that impact families and seniors in our neighborhoods every day,” Said stephen. “I grew up in the district, and I’ve always had a passion for public service and government. I want to use this experience to represent all residents of East Boston, Charlestown, and the North End on the Boston City Council.”
Passacantilli is a lifelong resident of Boston’s North End where he lives with his wife Renee Frechette and their two children. His family has a storied history of public service, representing the North End at City Hall and the State House. Stephen is the grandson of the late Frederick C. Langone, a longtime city councilor who battled against urban renewal and gentrification. His great-grandfather, Joseph A. Langone, Jr. was a State Senator and great-grandmother, Clementina Langone, was Immigration Commissioner. Stephen is a graduate of Suffolk University.
Lydia Edwards is currently deputy director of the Boston Office of Housing Stability. Edwards has spent her career as an attorney dedicated to helping immigrants and domestic workers. She was also a union activist and a key force behind the 2014 Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. Most recently, she has led Mayor Walsh’s efforts to prevent the displacement of Boston families.
“Income inequality is the challenge of our time,” Lydia said. “People need an advocate to help them stay in their homes. For the families that have called Boston home for generations, and for recent immigrants who’ve come here in search of a better life, our neighborhoods need innovative solutions to the housing crisis and wage stagnation that threatens our way of life. I want to fight for East Boston, Charlestown and the North End. And I can’t wait to partner with my neighbors to make our vision of an inclusive Boston into a reality.”
District voters may remember Lydia from her run last year for the State Senate seat vacated by Anthony Petruccelli and currently occupied by Joe Boncore.
Lydia lives with her husband, electrician and small business owner Rogerio Mauriz, in East Boston. She is a board member of the Boston Independent Living Center (BCIL) and the Cooperative Fund of New England, was named as a Super Lawyer 2015 for Legal Services, is one of the 2015 National Law Journal Rising Star committee’s top 40 attorneys under 40 in the Boston region, and is a Sustainable Economies Law Center Fellow. She is a graduate of American University School of Law, and received an LLM from Boston University School of Law.
Other possible candidates that could soon announce they are running for the District 1 Council seat include Jack Kelly (Charlestown, aide to Councilor Linehan), Michael Sinatra (East Boston, aide to Councilor LaMattina) and Joe Ruggiero (East Boston business owner).
Follow more on the race at our District 1 tag.
So excited about Lydia Edwards. Was so disappointed that she didn’t win senate seat. She’ll be breath of fresh air. We could all use some relief from the gang that runs things around here.
Go Lydia!
Lydia Edwards who works for the Mayor? I don’t know what “gang that runs things around here” is supposed to mean but you can’t say she’s coming out of nowhere!
Go Stephen! Does a lot for the community and would be a perfect fit just like Senator Boncore and State Rep. Michlewitz.
“So happy and excited to see one of our own North End born and raised, Stephen to be running! Errrrrp”
It will be very hard to replace Sal LaMattina, but if anyone can, Stephen Passacanitlli is the one! He has always put his heart and soul into the neighborhood. Let’s go Stephen!!!!!!
We need someone who can show the same compassion as councilor Lamattina. Stephen is a perfect fit. Best of luck.
Stephen has the energy and passion to serve this district. Good luck to him!
You are the Man Steve, you know where I am when you need help.
Good Luck My Friend.
Bobby Church
So happy to see that Stephen is running for City Council. Born and raised in the North End and now raising his own family here combined with his years of experience in City Hall under Councilor Lamatina and Mayor Walsh I can’t think of a better man for the job! Go Stephen!
Let’s go Stevie !!!!!!