Government

Former State Rep. Elugardo Joining Sen. Markey as Chief Counsel

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Former state Rep. Nika Elugardo is going to Washington to be Chief Counsel for U.S. Senator Ed Markey's office. Elugardo will be joining Markey's staff in Washington D.C to focus on issues including immigration, the judiciary, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, electoral reform, gun safety, criminal justice reform, and housing -- just to name a few. “I have long been inspired by the Senator’s history of boldly and loudly speaking challenging truths in the halls of power, even when it could hurt him politically,” said Elugardo. “Senator Markey’s rare political courage is matched by his integrity and focus on justice and equity. This is how he has motivated intergenerational voters of all races and genders to courageously engage our democracy."

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Elections

Sonia Chang-Díaz Drops Out of Governor’s Race

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Saying she cannot win, state Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz announced on Thursday that she is no longer running for Massachusetts governor. A Jamaica Plain resident, Chang-Díaz was regarded as an underdog to win the Democratic Party primary in September against Attorney General Maura Healey. Only a few weeks ago Chang-Díaz qualified for the primary, but she saw she could not win. She said she will be stopping her campaign, although her name will remain on the ballot. Chang-Díaz made history by becoming the first Latina and first Asian American elected to the state senate.

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Elections

Senate Candidates State Their Cases in JP Progressives’ Forum

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The four Democratic Party candidates for the 2nd Suffolk District state senate seat answered questions about COVID, housing, mental health, and more, during an online JP Progressives forum on May 19. The four candidates Miniard Culpepper, state Rep. Nika Elugardo (D-15th Suffolk), Liz Miranda (D-5th Suffolk), and Dianne Wilkerson will face each other in the primary election on September 6, and the winner will advance to the general election on November 8. 

Moderated by WGBH's Saraya Wintersmith and Yawu Miller from the Baystate Banner, the forum consisted of candidates providing opening statements with their top-three priorities, a mix of in-depth questions and rapid-fire questions, followed by closing statements. Below is a summary of each candidate’s opening statement, some of their responses to in-depth questions, and their closing statements. 

Below is a full recording of the forum. Candidate Opening Statements: 

Wilkerson: 

In Wilkerson’s opening statement she spoke about the newly drawn 2nd Suffolk district and how it's changed since COVID. She emphasized that Black and Latino communities have “lost big” during the pandemic.

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Elections

State Senate Candidate Forum on May 19

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All four candidates running for the 2nd Suffolk District state senate seat are scheduled to attend JP Progressives' candidate forum on May 19. The four Democratic Party candidates are current state Reps. Nika Elugardo (D-15th Suffolk) and Liz Miranda (D-5th Suffolk), Miniard Culpepper, and Dianne Wilkerson. Elugardo was first elected to the State House in 2018 after defeating incumbent Jeffrey Sanchez. Elugardo is the sponsor for bills to create rent control, has filed legislation to help incarcerated individuals and to reduce recidivism, and more.

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Elections

Elugardo on Running for State Senate, Rent Control, Redistricting of Jamaica Plain and More

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State Rep. Nika Elugardo (D-15th Suffolk), who was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2018, is running for the 2nd Suffolk District State Senate seat. Elugardo answered questions from Jamaica Plain News about her candidacy, bills she's sponsored to help incarcerated individuals, redistricting, and more. Q: Why did you decide to run for the 2nd Suffolk District State Senate seat? Elugardo: It's been exciting and fulfilling to represent the 15th Suffolk district as a State Representative. I play a hands-on role not only in shaping policy that affects my constituents and so many constituent groups that I care deeply about, but also in shepherding critical resources for community and economic development, for education, and so much more.

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Elections

State Rep. Liz Miranda Running for State Senator Opening

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State Rep. Liz Miranda has thrown her hat into the ring for the state senator position being vacated by Sonia Chang-Díaz. "I'm running for state Senate to build a district-wide agenda for community belonging, health equity, and economic opportunity. I'm running to take you all to the Senate with me," tweeted Miranda (D-5th Suffolk). Miranda joins state Rep. Nika Elugardo (D-15th) in the race for the 2nd Suffolk District senator seat. Chang-Díaz is vacating the seat to run for governor.

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Elections

State Rep. Nika Elugardo Running for State Senate

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After carefully weighing her decision, state Rep. Nika Elugardo has chosen to run for the state senate seat being vacated by current state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz. Elugardo was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2018, defeating longtime incumbent Jeffrey Sanchez to represent the 15th Suffolk District seat. "I was trying to stay out to lift up others and learned through a variety of recent experiences that stepping into the race was the best way to serve. I’m excited about what 2nd Suffolk is ready for, and I’m so ready to bring it!" said Elugardo to Jamaica Plain News.

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Government

Chang-Díaz Wants Case Study of Curley School Situation; Elugardo Advocating to Reverse State’s Decision

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Currently, Boston Public Schools' leadership plans for Curley School students, staff, and faculty, to return to in-person learning on Nov. 22 due to a school-wide COVID outbreak. But Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley decided that only four days of remote learning would count to the required 180 school days per school year. Riley explained his reasoning in Nov. 11 letter to Acting Mayor Kim Janey, Boston School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson, and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius.

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Coronavirus

Video: Boston Pols Implore BIPOC, Elderly to Get COVID Vaccine (When Available)

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Numerous Boston elected officials including Suffolk County's District Attorney and Sheriff teamed up together for a Mass.gov encouraging residents to receive the Coronavirus vaccine. Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins, District Attorney Rachael Rollins, At-Large Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu, Boston City Council President Kim Janey, and State Rep. Nika Elugardo (D-15th Suffolk), are among numerous elected official of color encouraging Black, Latinx, and people older than 65 years old. Tompkins office produced the video. "When it's my turn, I will do it," says State Rep. Russell Holmes (D-6th Suffolk). "As soon as I can, I will do it," says Wu.

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Government

Rep. Elugardo and Boston Housing Authority Launch Community Youth Jobs Program

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State Rep. Nika Elugardo, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), and the Main Street organization teamed up at the end of the year to launch a youth jobs program for BHA residents and other low-income youths

Elugardo (D-15th Suffolk) secured a $500,000 earmark for the program during the state's supplemental June budget. “Historically we’ve found the key to prosperity and public safety at the community level is youth employment,” said Elugardo via press release. “Youth with good jobs bring leadership and vibrancy to their communities." The following businesses and organizations provided youths jobs: Three Squares Main Streets; Home Basix; La Patrona Mexican Grill; Chocolate Hair; Married to the Mop; Break Bread Transportation; Miami Restaurant; Mildred Hailey Youth Center; Tails; City Feed & Supply;
The First Baptist Church of Jamaica Plain; 4 Corners Yoga & Wellness; and
JP Centre/South Main Streets. "We’re working with people in the community to make sure the youth who often fall through the cracks are the first in line for these jobs," said Elugardo.

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