On January 5, City Councilor Liz Breadon of Allston-Brighton won the Boston City Council presidency after an unexpected turn of events.
The Boston City Council is a group of 13 elected officials who serve two-year terms with no limit. They create legislation, approve the city’s budget and conduct public hearings, acting as a check to the mayor’s power.
As City Council President, Breadon is able to call special meetings, set the agenda for votes and assign councilors to committees, each with a specific focus. In the event of a vacancy, she will also step in to take over the mayorship. Previous City Council presidents have included current Mayor Michelle Wu and District 2 Councilor Ed Flynn.
Breadon secured her win after District 1 Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata dropped out the day before the election despite declaring victory months before. Her decision came amid her losing key supporters, resulting in the ensuing scramble for power. District 4 Councilor Brian Worrell, who was already running before Coletta Zapata’s decision, seemed to be best positioned to win, although he ultimately lost to Breadon in a six to seven vote.
The narrow margin highlights a divided council. Flynn, who voted against Breadon, described his criteria when deciding his vote: someone who was “independent, had a strong record of leadership [and] has demonstrated their ability to work well with others.”
Critics, however, have called the integrity of the election result into question. Tania Fernandes Anderson, the former District 7 Councilor, wrote a letter to her former advisory council regarding her concerns about the circumstances leading up to Breadon’s appointment.
There have also been allegations that a private meeting at Breadon’s house the day before the election violated the council’s open meeting policy, which dictates that the council cannot deliberate in private. Flynn elaborates on the situation: “It was a chaotic time. It was a chaotic process, and I am concerned we violated the open meeting laws.”
Despite the controversy, this election was historic. Breadon is the first openly LGBTQ+ woman elected to the council. Originally from Northern Ireland, she worked as a physical therapist for the United Kingdom National Health Service and was politically active as a grassroots activist.
Ami Mai (III), a member of the Mayor’s Youth Council, adds, “I think that she will bring up a lot more injustices that may have been going on in the city for the LGBTQ+ community.”
During her time as councilor and chair of the Redistricting Committee, Breadon was involved in the controversial redistricting of the City Council districts after the 2020 United States Census, supporting the original “Unity Map.” The map was passed by Wu but was later prohibited by Federal Judge Patti Saris in favor of a new map drawn by Boston City Council Member Ruthzee Louijeune.
Despite these challenges, Breadon successfully secured funding for improvements in public schools, such as science classrooms at Brighton High School. She pushed for other policies as well, including for an increase in public housing and protections for immigrant communities.
Her presidency is expected to continue focusing on the “social safety net,” government-funded programs which provide social and economic support to families in need. In particular, she has emphasized Boston’s role in filling the gaps if federal funding for essential programs are threatened. She plans to work closely with Wu as a key ally, continuing to facilitate citywide initiatives that previously faced opposition. As a result, colleagues may divide their votes on said proposals.
Breadon’s stance on the role of city government is clear: local leadership is the primary holder for civil rights. Within the Boston Public Schools, this could mean more funding for youth workers and more mental health support. Boston Latin School AP U.S. Government and Politics teacher Ms. Ashley Balbian hopes that Breadon will prioritize smaller class sizes, mentioning that “big classes have a negative impact on teachers and student learning outcomes.”