Tell us a little about yourself. You can include your personal background, family, outside interests that are important to who you are as a person and a candidate.
I was born and raised here in Lexington. I am married with two children, each of whom attends the same schools that I attended. I am a college professor in the Honors Program at Merrimack College, where I teach political science courses. I have been a proud member of Town Meeting since 2019. I served on the Board for Lexington Little League from 2019–2024, until my daughter aged out of the program. Along with three other Lexington residents I co-founded Together We Rise, a group dedicated to promoting equality in our Town.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
I am running for Town Meeting because I want to continue to serve the community I grew up in and that I love. Lexington offers some of the best educational opportunities in the world, and it is critical that we continue to do so. I want to ensure that we continue to have a safe community that is welcoming to people of all backgrounds, while ensuring that our growth continues in a sustainable manner for both daily life and our environment.
How has your past experience — whether in your professional life, elected office, or as a community leader — prepared you for a role in Town Meeting?
I have served as a member of Town Meeting for the past six years and learned a lot during that time. Having background information on issues, knowledge of developments in Town, and a Town-focused perspective is important in serving the Town’s interests. I have a long history of involvement in government. The first job I had was in the Town Manager’s Office here in Lexington. It is where I received an introduction to town government and where I first became acutely aware of town issues. Additionally, I have worked at the federal and state levels of government. For over seven years I worked as a Research and Budget Analyst at the Massachusetts State House, where I was instrumental in passing major legislation, including mental health parity laws, and in helping to craft the budget. I have a Ph.D. in political science, and I teach courses in politics to help inspire the next generation to be engaged in government.
Having run in multiple races and given that I teach controversial topics to students, I am no stranger to diverse opinions, including those that run counter to my own. I treat all people and their opinions with respect, no matter their beliefs. I make a point to listen to what others believe and ask questions to better understand their positions. I then explain my positions and see if we can find compromise. I read messages from constituents and respond to them. I firmly believe the best solutions take all residents’ needs and opinions into account.
What is the most important issue in this election to you personally, and what ideas do you have about how to address this issue?
As an educator, ensuring the quality of education our town offers to all students is my top priority. I want to work with others to ensure that a new high school meets the needs of students now and in the future. My children may not get to attend the new school by the time it is complete, but that does not change the importance of ensuring the best education possible for all of our children. It is also key that we do this in as affordable a manner as possible so that we do not drive residents who have spent their lives here out of town. Striking this balance is central to my goals.
Affordable housing is needed, and I want to make sure Lexington helps to provide it. Most of our firefighters, police, teachers, and other Town employees cannot afford to live here. I support the goal of collecting further information on proposed housing projects so that we can make an informed decision, a process that is underway. It is not yet clear what the final wording of Article 2 will be, but I do not support pausing all affordable housing permitting. The Town needs to be able to continue to stay in compliance with state mandates as we figure out the best path forward. I am open-minded regarding the final proposed Article.
I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve our Town and our Precinct, and I look forward to continuing to do so. If reelected I will continue to put my knowledge and skills in government to use in support of support our community. I ask for your vote this March so I can continue the important work of serving all our residents by building a brighter future.