Beatriz Gómez-Mouakad Somerville Ward 5 City Councilor

Many know my support for Christine Barber for Senate. The outcome was not what I hoped, but some observations I made while canvassing and standing out holding signs.

Many young people voting:
I believe the younger generation is maybe not sure how to make change according to some - but they are certainly willing! 👍🏽 They want to see a push for change.

Young people are very interested and distraught by the situation in Palestine and the war in the Middle East: Some politicians avoid this subject as they do not want to be interpreted as anti-Semitic and say this does not affect local politcs. What our youth sees is billions invested in another country to support extensive military warfare when those billions could be invested at home to make things better. Imagine those billions that help territory expansions fund affordable housing at home.

Some Jewish people are not necessarily pro-Israel and anti-Palestine, but they want the public to recognize that Israel was created when many countries refused to take in Jews that were victims of the holocaust. They support a two state solution and do not support military intervention and funding. I am basing this on a conversation with a young man who himself was Jewish. But I say let’s continue this conversation in person not on social media.

Many doors I knocked in Somerville with undecided voters wanted to read the literature and make the decisions on their own - it appears this is what really motivate the undecided voter. If you do not have name recognition then what you put on screen and on paper regarding your views does matter.

In general there is very little knowledge and understanding of what state government does and how it relates to our cities. We need to improve education on state and local politics

Finally I want to express my own feelings and disappointment on how despite the ICE activity and anti- immigrant activity Latino voices seem to be invisible. It is time we get more vocal and more involved in politics. Do not let others speak for us - let us speak for ourselves. 🇵🇷💪🏽

I brought my maraca and my pandereta to show Somerville how we do it in PR last Tuesday - pues Puerto Rico es otra cosa ❤️❤️🇵🇷🇵🇷

Many are struggling with the potential closure of the Brown School - but here is an idea for its future. Affordable Senior Housing. Newburyport is turning its Brown School into Senior Housing. Yes we have 2 large Affordable Housing Projects in construction, but we need to keep the pipeline flowing. And where do our seniors go when they can no longer live in place? See announcement for new tax credit projects. 2 in Cambridge and 6 in Boston. What tax credit projects does Somerville have in the pipeline? Medford Street????

It’s Election Day — please vote! And vote Christine Barber for State Senate.

Somerville has only ONE State Senate seat out of 40. That means we need someone in that seat who knows how to take action, deliver results, and fight for the resources our communities need.

Today, I was holding a Christine Barber sign next to a supporter of one of her opponents who works in finance at the State House. Even they acknowledged how effective Christine is.

And I will say it again and again: Christine isn’t just effective. She is the candidate I have seen show up most consistently for vulnerable and underrepresented communities.

I am standing out here in the rain because I believe in Christine. I believe experience matters. Effectiveness matters. Showing up matters. And caring about ALL of our residents matters — young and old, longtime residents and newcomers, immigrants and families struggling to stay in our community.

Remember: residents fund roughly 70% of Somerville's municipal operations. We need effective state leaders who understand our city and know how to bring resources back to Somerville so that the burden doesn't continue to fall disproportionately on residents.

This election matters.
Please vote. Please bring a friend or neighbor to vote. And please vote Christine Barber for State Senate.

☔️ I am not standing in the rain in vain.

I am standing in the rain because I believe in Christine.

I have not posted in a long time but today’s post is a reminder that early voting started today for the September 1st Primary. Vote early or vote by September 1st. Your vote does matter! And….

Vote Christine Barber for State Senate.

I’m supporting Christine Barber because she is the kind of leader who shows up, listens, and gets results.

10+ years of experience in the State House — and she has used that experience to deliver meaningful change.

A legislative leader who brings results. Christine was a driving force behind the Family and Mobility Act, legislation that had been sitting in the State House for nearly a decade. She didn’t just vote for it—she personally canvassed for it and helped build the support needed to get it across the finish line.

A champion for affordable housing. Christine understands that affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing our communities. She has helped secure more than $20 million for Somerville, supporting investments that make a real difference for our community.

A champion for our environment. As Chair of the Environmental Committee, Christine understands the importance of protecting our environment. She has also helped secure funding for projects along the Mystic River.

A true ally to immigrants and underrepresented communities. I can speak to this personally because I work with the immigrant community. Since I began working with Christine in 2022, I have watched her consistently show up—from immigrant community events and clothing drives to Hispanic Heritage Celebrations and so much more. She doesn’t just talk about supporting our communities—she shows up for them.

Christine is not a lifelong politician who is disconnected from the people she represents. She is someone who genuinely cares about her community and believes government should work for everyone.

I haven’t canvassed for a candidate since I ran for office myself.

I’m canvassing for Christine because I believe in the kind of leader she is: someone who shows up for the people who are too often underrepresented and makes sure their voices are heard.

Vote Christine Barber for State Senate.

To all those folks who think migrants drain our tax dollars, think twice. In 2022 migrants contributed $ 96.7 million in US Taxes including Social Security. And yes this also pays for ICE agents and the Department of Homeland Security….sigh!

Friends did you know the Somerville Community is organizing a toy drive for those in need? Last day to buy gifts online via Amazon is TODAY!!!!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2A0OGJCXLKU3G?ref_=wl_share

Would you consider a $$$ donation to the Somerville Toy Drive? Today is the last day
Please donate via GoFundMe or Venmo (-Aldana).

Are you interested in volunteering? Fill out this Google Form. They need drivers to deliver toys to families on December 21 from 10am-12PM

Questions? [email protected]

Please help spread the word!

Check out my list on Amazon

Did you know the Somerville Community is organizing a Toy Drive? Today is the last day to make donations via Amazon.

Check out my list on Amazon

There is a certain joy and serenity when you are sitting on the T headed home and you are able to admire the sunset and be thankful you are avoiding the traffic jams below. So grateful to live in a city with public transportation. ❤️.

On this post Election Day when spirits are down for some this OPEd I wrote about our school buildings was published. Let’s take the time to focus on our local issues and figure out how to move the much needed renovation or construction of a school here in Somerville. After all we need education to protect our democracy.

Future Perspectives on K-8 School Building Needs in Somerville: The Intersection of Equity Goals, and City Funding and Time Constraints

Future Perspectives on K-8 School Building Needs in Somerville: The Intersection of Equity Goals, and City Funding and Time Constraints (The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Mi familia votó y la tuya? Vota es tu derecho. Piensa en tus padres y abuelos que no pudieron votar por el Presidente de los EUA porque no eran ciudadanos o eran residentes de un territorio de EUA. Piensa en las abuelas que no votaron porque las mujeres no tenían el derecho de votar.

Cuando votas le das un mensaje a los EUA que el latino si es parte de este país. Y no te olvides votar es solo el principio, aboga por tus derechos y por que te respeten tu dignidad como latino.

My family voted, did yours? Vote it is your right. Think of your parents and grand parents who could not vote because they were not US citizens or were residents of a US territory that did not have the right to vote for President. Think of your grandmothers who could not vote because women did not have the right to vote.

When you vote you give a message to the US that the Latino is part of the US. And remember voting is just the start, advocate for your rights and for respecting your dignity as a Latino!

Vote-vota hoy!!!!