Progressive Democrats Endorse Five Alderman Candidates

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville have endorsed five candidates who are running for ward-based seats on the Somerville Board of Aldermen this fall.

According to an announcement from the political group, the Progressive Democrats endorsed the following candidates:

Ward 1: Matt McLaughlin
Ward 3: Suzanne Bremer
Ward 5: Mark Niedergang
Ward 6: Rebekah Gewirtz
Ward 7: Katjana Ballantyne

The Progressive Democrats did not make an endorsement in Ward 2, where incumbent Alderman Maryann Heuston is running unopposed. In Ward 4, incumbent Alderman Tony Lafuente, who's also running unopposed, did not seek the group's endorsement.

The Somerville Board of Aldermen consists of seven aldermen who represent each of Somerville's seven wards; it also contains four at-large aldermen.

To receive an endorsement from The Progressive Democrats of Somerville, candidates needed to receive 66 percent of members' votes. The group's website describes some of the reasoning behind this round of endorsements.

Candidates seeking the group's endorsement answered a questionnaire, and most participated in a forum held in July.

Earlier, the group endorsed five candidates running for Somerville School Committee.

In its announcement, the Progressive Democrats said they would likely hold an endorsement meeting for at-large aldermen candidates—there are seven candidates for four at-large seats—in September.

A preliminary election will be held in wards 1 and 3, where more than three candidates are running, on Sept. 24. All other candidates will face off in a city election on Nov. 5.

See who's running in Somerville here.

More

• Development a Hot Topic at Forum for Alderman Candidates
• Progressive Democrats Endorse Five Candidates for School Committee
• Candidates Talk New High School, Charter Schools at Forum
• See Who's Running for Office in Somerville in 2013