Nearly half of the $322,000 raised in individual donations for City Council races during the 2019 municipal election cycle were for candidates running in Ward 2, the Globe’s John Hilliard reports.
Last year’s Ward 2 City Council contests were the city’s costliest
by Village 14 | Feb 14, 2020 | City Council elections, Newton | 1 comment
No doubt our city’s ongoing debate over multifamily housing and economic growth, has fueled more interest in elections and campaign spending.
But I don’t believe it is the only factor.
Since the 2016 presidential election, we’ve seen an uptick in interest in Newton and across the nation in running for political office. So many candidates — but especially female candidates — have stepped up, including for city council.
We’ve also seen more members of the public recognize the need to open their wallets and give, not just to national campaigns, but locally.
So yes, elections are becoming more expensive and competitive. But, locally at least, that’s not necessarily a reflection of “corporate interests” (no corporation donated to either Newton PAC, to the best of my knowledge) — as Councilor Norton is quoted as saying — but public passion.