District 8 Boston City Councilor Kenzie Bok Endorses Spillane
District 8 Boston City Councilor Kenzie Bok announced her endorsement of At-Large City Council candidates Jon Spillane and Ruthzee Louijeune.
“Housing affordability is the top issue the Boston City Council must tackle to preserve and strengthen our diverse communities, so I need colleagues who have demonstrated deep commitment to housing,” Councilor Bok said.
“Jon Spillane built affordable housing at Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development (DND), and then worked on expanding financial support for our local housing programs as my City Council budget director.
“Ruthzee Louijeune has fought on behalf of tenants at Boston Housing Court, and she recently helped the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA), where I serve on the board, negotiate major new private funds to support first-generation homeownership.”
“Their deep experience and capability in affordable housing will be of critical help in setting the direction for a more inclusive City in the Council’s next term. I’m very proud to endorse Ruthzee and Jon for Boston City Council At Large.”
Councilor Bok represents the neighborhoods of Mission Hill, Fenway, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the West End. She chairs the Council’s Ways and Means Committee and PILOT Reform Committee. Prior to her election, Bok worked at the Boston Housing Authority and helped run the successful 2016 ballot campaign to pass the Community Preservation Act in Boston.
Ruthzee Louijeune grew up in Mattapan, attended Boston Latin School, Columbia University, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Law School, and most recently served as Senior Counsel on Elizabeth Warren’s presidential and Senate campaigns. She now resides in Hyde Park. Jon Spillane, a graduate of Boston Latin School, Boston College, and Suffolk Law School, grew up in Hyde Park and now lives on Beacon Hill, where he served as Councilor Bok’s Director of Budget and Constitutent Services before launching his campaign.
Beacon Hill’s State Senator, State Representative, and Ward Committee All Endorse Spillane
This week, candidate for Boston City Council At-Large Jon Spillane released a major round of Beacon Hill area endorsements.
Sen. Joseph Boncore, State Rep. Jay Livingstone, and the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee each announced their endorsement of Jon Spillane, following Councilor Kenzie Bok’s endorsement earlier this week.
“I am honored to earn the endorsements of Sen Boncore, Rep. Livingstone, and the Ward 5 Dems,” Spillane said. “It is gratifying to receive the support of elected officials with whom I’ve addressed important constituent service and policy issues, as well as to receive a unanimous endorsement from the Ward 5 neighbors I’ve gotten to know at holiday parties and late-night poll-dressing. I look forward to working with and representing Beacon Hill at City Hall.”
“As Chair of the Transportation Committee, I want to see City Councilors At-Large with serious knowledge and interest in public transit, traffic mitigation, and road safety, and that’s why I’m endorsing Jon,” said Sen. Boncore. “From advocating for improved bus service and the Red-Blue connection, Jon is exactly the sort of partner, and public transit rider, our state delegation needs on the Council.”
“I have worked with and known Jon professionally in his capacity as Councilor Kenzie Bok’s Budget and Constituent Services Director, as well as through the Ward 5 Democratic Committee,” said Rep. Livingstone. “Jon knows how to solve residents’ issues and move forward policy that benefits the whole City, and I am proud to support him.”
In addition to both the State Senator and State Representative, Spillane was also unanimously endorsed by the Ward 5 Democratic Committee. The Committee has a record of picking winners, and their endorsed candidates receive support through events and voter outreach across the Ward. Jon has been an active member of the committee since moving to Beacon Hill in 2016.
Sen. Boncore and Rep. Livingstone’s endorsements makes Spillane one of just four At-Large challengers with support from Boston’s State Delegation. With the endorsement of the Ward 5 Dems and Councilor Bok, Jon Spillane emerges as one of the most competitive candidates for two open At-Large seats. 17 candidates are running for Councilor At-Large, including two incumbents.
In addition to the crowded Mayoral election, five of the Boston City Council’s thirteen members are not running for re-election, leaving three District council seats and two At-Large seats open. The next Council will not only play a major role in the COVID-19 recovery, but will also be in charge of re-drawing Council District lines based on the 2020 Census results.