Newton native and activist Maddy Ranalli announced today that she’s running for the Ward 1 city council at-large seat that is open because of Jay Ciccone’s unexpected death last month. Watch her kickoff video here.
Here’s the press release:
Madeline Ranalli Enters Race for Newton City Council
Activist and political organizer Madeline “Maddy” Ranalli today announced her campaign for a City Council At-Large seat from Ward 1 in the upcoming Newton special election.
At a time when young voters and activists have become politically involved in record numbers and played a pivotal role in the recent national election, Ranalli vowed to bring a fresh perspective and progressive leadership to Newton city government.
“I’m part of a generation that’s grown up very fast politically—because we’ve had no choice,” she said. “We have a responsibility to take on the many urgent problems that we all face. Whether it’s been advocating for gun violence prevention legislation, marching alongside other young activists, or organizing around racial justice here in Newton, I’ve been committed to advocating for important change.”
The 20-year-old Ranalli is a product of Newton Public Schools, where she first began organizing around important causes like climate change, gender equity and gun violence. She attends Harvard University, studying government, public policy, and environmental science.
Her public service experience includes serving as Political Director for March for Our Lives: Massachusetts, a youth-led gun violence prevention organization, and as a board member of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. She has worked in U.S. Senator Ed Markey’s office, and on the campaigns of Elizabeth Warren (in Iowa), Mass. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez, and others. Her campaign has already earned endorsements from key political and civic leaders in Newton, including numerous current city council members.
Ranalli’s legislative priorities will revolve around inclusivity and equity, with a strong emphasis on advancing affordable housing, transportation, responsive governance, racial and gender equity, and concrete measures to combat climate change.
In announcing her candidacy, Ranalli also offered heartfelt condolences to the friends, family, and supporters of longtime Ward 1 City Councilor Allan “Jay” Ciccone, who passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 7.
Ranalli has lived in the same house in Ward 1 all her life, and is deeply invested in the Newton community. A bilingual Italian-American, a lifelong member of Newton’s Temple Emanuel, and the granddaughter of a wartime refugee, Ranalli says she is dedicated to building bridges between people of different backgrounds, faiths, and generations.
“I’m committed to a future where we bring Newton residents together around our shared values of fundamental decency and compassion for family, friends, and neighbors,” she said. “Together we can both preserve and build on what is best about Ward 1, Nonantum, Newton Corner, and indeed all of Newton.”
The date for the special election has not yet been set by the City of Newton. More information about Maddy’s campaign, including detailed policy briefs, can be found at https://ranallifornewton.com.
Looking at her website, she would be the polar opposite of Ciccone on every issue, and a clear boost to the pro-development wing of the council..
Madeline would make a great addition to the Newton City Council, representing both Nonantum and the entire city, and I’m looking forward to serving with her if she is elected.
The pro-development wing doesn’t need a boost. No thanks. She should get some real life experience under her belt.
I’m really hoping Scott Lennon will run. We REALLY need his measured voice. #DraftScott
After reading through Maddy’s platform I think she has a great understanding of what this city needs to be truly great. Can’t wait to support her!
Wow! So exciting to see a young, intelligent person running for office! I can’t wait to support and hear more from her. She clearly knows this city and what it needs moving forward.
This is awesome. Maddy Ranalli is clearly an incredibly accomplished leader with a comprehensive, visionary platform. She will be a much-needed voice for youth and future generations on the council, and clearly has the courage and determination to make a difference. I can’t wait to vote for her!
This is very exciting. I wish Maddy all the best and look forward to supporting her.
Lots of new names. Clearly Maddy’s friends are coming out to support her. But Adrian, Kathryn and Alexander maybe you could tell us more about you so we can evaluate if your opinion holds weigh with Newton Residents.
Happy to see a young, intelligent person like Maddy throw her hat in the ring. Unfortunately her priorities do not align with many in Newton. Her views on affordable housing is very pro development and pro density. And her positions on Racial Justice is limited to black, white and brown – and completely ignores the large population of Asians here in Newton.
Would love to see more some more moderate representation on the Council, not more of the far left Bernie democrats that seem to have taken over the City Council of late.
Good luck to Maddy. I look forward to hearing more about her positions on critical matters to Newton residents. I especially wish her best of luck trying to defend herself from inferences that she is too young and is therefore not qualified. How come we never hear about the opposite, city councilors who have been fossilized on the council election after election and don’t move Newton forward.
One of the great things that I’ve seen happen here over the last year is an increased engagement from the younger cohort. Maddie’s website is remarkably detailed and thoughtful. I don’t believe this is about being for or against “development” but about seeing that the city needs some kind of change and working to achieve it.
As for the new names… more voices make better stories.
@Claire since you asked, I am a life long resident of Newton and a proud graduate of NPS. I am a taxpayer and voter in this city, and I can assure you my opinions hold lots of weight among my fellow residents. I am enthusiastic about Maddy’s campaign because I am passionate about making our city sustainable and strengthening our schools. If you read this article or took a quick look at her website, you would see Maddy’s extensive experience as a leader and someone who gets things done. It’s one thing to disagree with her positions, but to call into question her experience or qualifications is wrong.
I’m excited to see Maddy jumping into the special election in Ward 1. I’ve been impressed since I first met her when she led a climate march as a high school student and only moreso as I’ve gotten to know her over the past couple years.
People like to say that the youth are our future, I would like to think that means that we give young people who share our values a seat at the table.
I got to know Maddy through her work on racial justice and gun violence reduction. I share Maddy’s conviction that Newton can be a better city – more just, inclusive, sustainable, and livable. But beyond sharing these values, I know that Maddy has the ability to build unity for a better Newton, through leadership and collaboration. I’m excited for Maddy’s candidacy and enthusiastically support her. Go Maddy!!!
When I explored Maddy’s campaign website, I saw a variety of approaches to creating affordable housing, some of which make sense and some of which are less promising. Changing zoning regulations to allow single-unit properties to become multi-unit has little to do with affordability. I’ll put it another way, as several city councilors have: If our sole goal were to create affordable housing, revising zoning rules would not be an effective tool. Most of the time, developers will create units as expensive as their predecessors, and in some cases more expensive.
Now changing the zoning to encourage more units, expensive or not, could be justified because it helps meet the regional need for housing. The Chamber of Commerce will also argue that building more units will inevitably mean housing and rental prices will fall, according to the law of supply and demand. I don’t believe it, at least not in the current suburban housing market. The value of my own house has shot up astronomically in the past few years. Anything floating on the Newton market will command extraordinary prices, be it a house to buy or an apartment to rent. New residents arriving thanks to revamped zoning will be prosperous and privileged.
Other strategies on the website for affordability hold greater promise, from seeking government rental subsidies to exploring affordable housing constructed or subsidized by nonprofits. Maddy also champions affordable housing units in projects constructed near public transit, in part for laudable environmental reasons.
If Newton approves more projects like Riverside, I hope that the city demands a higher percentage of “affordable” units than mandated by 40b. Let’s face it: Even the proposal to convert the Armory to affordable housing, which I enthusiastically endorse, creates rental units that will cost, at a minimum, near $30,000 a year. Units with more bedrooms will cost even more. Considering the dearth of available housing, I guess that we should consider those units “affordable.” Still, many moderate-income families with, say, two children or more will find the cost of moving to Newton a difficult challenge to meet.
@Kathryn “It’s one thing to disagree with her positions, but to call into question her experience or qualifications is wrong”
How is that wrong. Haven’t we learned from the last four years that experience and qualifications matter??
Positions are just talking points and opinions. Experience, qualifications and track record are critical
Hey Bob, what do you think those new townhomes and multi-families will be worth in 25, 50, 100 years? Not as much as new singles. And what if we allowed building more affordable homes (that will be more affordable in the future) and denser development on smaller lots? Get it?
Anyways, good luck Maddy! I look forward to learning more about your campaign soon. We could do with more youth representation in this antiquated City.
@james ” And what if we allowed building more affordable homes (that will be more affordable in the future) and denser development on smaller lots? Get it?
Nothing is preventing building more affordable homes other than the profit motive of developers! 25/50/100 years?? Seriously Are you seriously arguing supply side trickle down economics?
The only thing that will create more affordable housing in any of our lifetimes are public/private development with that being the singular goal. Anything else is a giveaway to developers
So is she committed to residing in Newton while in college? How does that work?
Kudos for Maddie for entering the race and creating a well prepared website detailing her positions.
@Matt Lai interestingly on Maddie’s website under her Racial Justice section their is a link to her sources (points again for being thorough). Asian students make up 18% of the District with Hispanics at 7%, Blacks at 5% and mixed race 5%
https://projects.propublica.org/miseducation/district/2508610
On her first two talking points about minorities being enrolled in AP courses, Asian Students are actually 1.3 times as likely to be enrolled on AP courses as White Students and there is no suspension available comparing Asian Students vs White students. Her 3rd talking point links to a defunding police presentation by the Newton Human Rights Commission. Maybe she doesn’t have any quantifiable data on discrimination vs Asians in Newton?
The title says it all.. do residents want an “activist” or a councilor who will address residents day to day issues?
In local government, relationship building is the major factor in getting “stuff done”
Also, i assume everyone running for council seats will get coverage on v14?
@Claire Looking ahead IS what zoning is about. The whole idea is to look 20, 30, 50 years into the future. Part of the reason we don’t have more units on the market today, many of which would be more affordable, is that we spent the last century focused on single-family housing and NOT on multifamily. This created a problem in which there weren’t new units coming on the market in the numbers that are necessary, and a housing stock that is among the oldest in the country. Those new units, which are often built and priced to the top of the market, would have siphoned off people looking for new levels of luxury or convenience, leaving behind places that would have become less competitive on the market and therefore more affordable. Instead, we created a system that closed itself off and unnaturally increased the prices on housing that should cost less. If the price that I paid for my house was simply adjusted for inflation it would be worth nearly $500,000 less than Zillow tells me that it’s worth today. That’s absolutely insane and unfair.
That housing pressure gets relieved somewhere, usually farther out where it’s easier to build. The cheaper land and associated zoning restrictions in those communities lead to more single family homes where people need cars and drive to their jobs, often downtown, thereby clogging the roadways HERE.
So yes, all this is connected: zoning, climate change, transportation, community…
Zoning today DOES mean something for tomorrow… it’s what this is all about. Here’s an uncomfortable truth: many of us commenting on this board are not likely to be around in the 30 to 50 year future timeline, but Maddy will. Who better to help us determine what should be here?
@Bob is right when he notes that zoning alone will not fix the affordability problem. But it’s a necessary step in solving it. 40b helps, but it doesn’t go far enough given that “Affordable” often means 50%, 80% or 120% AMI. This doesn’t create truly affordable housing. To do that we need to put more social structures in place along with the zoning. That’s a good discussion to have… but we can’t do that without first creating the zoning changes.
What Chuck said. He oversimplifies zoning a bit. Don’t worry though, there will be many threads on zoning reform soon enough.
For me it is not about like-ability, I am sure that Maddy is intelligent and capable. My vote is about who represents the Newton I want to live in. My concerns are around zoning, development, schools reopening and the city budget. On these issues it is clear that Maddy and I are not on the same side. Hopefully in the coming days we see someone that better aligns with what I see as real life city issues.
@Bugek
Yes
I am an enthusiastic supporter of Madeline Ranalli.
Through our conversations I have found her to be fully capable, energized and passionate. She is an independent thinker that is capable of balancing her her own goals with the concerns of Newton constituents.
Additionally, she has the time and drive to dedicate herself to making Newton the best city it can be. If her entrance into the Newton political landscape is any indication, she is sure to serve in a detail-oriented and transparent way.
Citing her lack of “life experience” is a red herring. As a School Committee member, I believe Maddy’s experience as an NPS student will add valuable perspective on the council. She represents a voice that is often silenced in Newton politics. Not to mention her post-graduate experience which is, by itself, more impressive than most that run.
I would encourage anyone with concerns about her views to reach out to Maddy directly. Regardless of whether or not you agree with her, there is no doubt you will find her prepared, passionate, open-minded and resourceful.
It is the height of conceit for a 20 year old to be running for this position. The support for her candidacy by Mr. Miller, Mr. Humphrey and others says more about their poor judgment than Ms. Ranalli’s supposed qualifications.
It is trivial to hold impassioned views on the complex issues facing our city and our society when one is 20 years old. Read some stuff. Listen to some podcasts or cable news talking heads. It all seems so clear and obvious. In more ways than one, the grey comes with age and experience. And it is that ambiguity, that understanding of the true complexity of the world, which creates suitable leaders.
Let’s see how Ms. Ranalli feels about allocating the scarce and hard-won resources of the members of this community after a few years out in the workforce, building perhaps her own business, working for someone else, spending 80 hours per week establishing her career and professional reputation. Let’s see how Ms. Ranalli feels about the school systems during or after experiencing the vicissitudes of the system encountered by her children. Let her be challenged in the oh so many ways we all have once we were out of the nest fending for ourselves. Then perhaps she would have the gravitas to lead.
In the meantime, there are plenty of ways for them to contribute to the conversation.
@Elmo, so what you’re saying is that until Maddy has earned property she will not have the experience to lead? Jefferson would be proud.
Maddy – would you have signed the letter City Councillors sent to the School Committee re: school re-opening?
This is a basic threshold question for many parents. Thanks.
Thank you Tim, agree with you on that
@Elmo:
Caleb Hanna – West Virginia House of Delegates (19 years old)
Kalan Haywood Jr – Wisconsin State Legislator (19 years old)
Jacob Bachmeier – Montana State Legislator (18 years old)
Cassanda Levesque – New Hampshire House of Representatives (19 years old)
Will Haskell – CT Senate Rep (22 years old)
Selena Torres – Nevada State Assembly (23 years old)
@Elmo – I’m amazed that on a City Council of 24 members, with an average age well beyond the citizenry’s, you think having a voice representing our younger residents would inherently be a bad thing. If you disagree with Ms Ranalli’s positions on the issues of the day then by all means don’t vote for her.
Dismissing Ms. Ranalli, and by extension a substantial fraction of our voters and their concerns, is a much better definition of “height of conceit” in my book.
@Tim Agreed.
Do you plan to reside in Newton and remain here for the next decade? I believe that our city councilors give a significant portion of their lives to the job and can this be done balancing the demands of a college student? We need representatives who are committed to the city and its success. I believe that you would need to live and reside in Newton as well as understand working and paying taxes to appreciate the financial decisions that most citizens have. A commitment to remain a city resident even after your term is desirable to show you plan to live with the decisions that your role as a counselor will have on the city.
You will have a challenge to convince people like me that you fully understand all sides of the issues as you likely lack the perspective of work and experience.
Maddy is fantastic – great candidate for this office and I am glad to support her. She’s been planning to run for a while. Go Maddy!!
I’m hoping Scott Lennon will run and offer a pragmatic moderate voice to the Council. Run Scott run!
Has anyone checked in with Scott to find out if he is planning to run for this seat? Please?
The analogy that comes to mind is replacing Ruth Bader Ginsburg with Comey Barrett on the Supreme Court. I would greatly prefer to see that the balance between liberals and moderates when it comes to development/zoning issues on the City Council would be maintained (or preferably lean towards the moderates).
I also agree with many of the excellent points made by Bugek, Claire, Dan, Elmo, Lisa D, Matt Lai, Nathan, Pedro, and Peter.
I have learned way too much from my 24-year-old daughter and 28-year-old son to discount somebody because of age.
I hope to see Madeline in the council. It would be great to have a completely different and fresh perspective. Her main message seems to be big development, which most people in Newton are on board with. I can easily see myself voting for her.
And some free advice from a voter, since I assume Madeline is reading these comments: Listen to what President Obama said earlier today and never, ever utter the word “defund” in your campaign.
Its actually good that younger folks are interested in politics. Ultimately, councilors will reflect their constituents. If ward 1 is known to be ultra progressive then she should do well
Last time i checked, i think it leaned the other way.. but i could be wrong but running is the only way to find out. So kudos
I can identify with all of the issues and concerns, both good and bad, that have been posted on this thread.
I watched Maddy’s campaign video,
and in spite of what some may consider her youth and lack of experience, I feel she should be given an opportunity to make her case.
I have a lot of respect for her for being far more engaged than I was at her age. I’m willing to at least listen.
As much as we may think otherwise, her youth is really a double edged sword. I like the idea of a young fresh mind taking on the challenge of City government. Fresh new perspectives can only be a good thing, even if you don’t always agree with her ideas. But I do worry that there is some life experience missing here…
I am willing to give Maddy a good chance to make her case.
I live in Ward 1 so I’m particularly interested in what she has to say.
If Scott Lennon decides to run and I believe he should his base of support is solid through out the City. He will win the seat handily.
@Peter Karg: Do you have any reason to believe that Scott is going to run?
Some of the comments above seem to be under the mistaken impression that Madeline is attending college on the other side of the country as opposed to merely 5 miles / 15 minutes away. Some of our newer residents/commenters might not be aware that one of our longstanding City Councilors and former mayoral candidates, Ken Parker, was elected while attending UMass Amherst.
So you should feel reassured that there’s no reason to expect that she would not be able to attend City Council business (as she already regularly does) or that she would need to move away. And in fact with so much Council business happening virtually this year, many of our colleagues have been attending remotely from Cape Cod or other locations much farther away than where she happens to attend classes while living in Newton.
I love this!!!! Maddy, you rock. People, the youth have the most to lose, they should have a seat at the table. I feel my generation has dropped the ball (with all of our experience) and it’s wonderful to see so many young people want to contribute and make Newton a great city (you all thought I was going to say make Newton great again….I resisted). You go Maddy, bring that energy and fresh perspective to city hall. Go for it!!!!!
Maddy appears pro transit, pro climate, pro housing access, pro racial justice, pro all sorts of things I care about. I am a fan of her messaging thus far and applaud the ambition of a 20 year old throwing their hat in the ring. There are plenty of folks in Newton who welcome a progressive platform to make the city more inclusive & climate friendly.
Lots of great comments. A few more nuggets.
1. A city Councilor should live in the city they represent, if not in practice than for principle. Local government should be intimate, accessible and interactive. This is not Congress, nor a stepping stone for higher political aspirations as a candidate’s primary objective.
2. Would love to see Maddy take a stand on in person learning and zoning reform – Newton’s hot issues du jour. Can’t make everyone happy, but that’s part of the job. So is thick skin, regardless of age.
3. @Chuck, in principle I see the points to your 10/15/20 year argument (always have), but here’s where you’ve lost me (yet again)…when the time comes, would you sell your home for less in support of affordable housing? Would you forego the $500k in fake property appreciation that as you said yourself is not earned? I’m guessing no (or perhaps you’re a better person than the rest of us). Nor would a developer. And despite a global pandemic, the local real estate market could not be hotter. Real life can be very different than “Principle Land”. Can’t fund retirements on hopes and goodwill.
4. Lastly…Newton tends to sway to then extreme left, especially online (V14, FB Groups, NextDoor). Sometimes (often) to the point where anyone with a differing POV is met with venom and arrows. But what the last presidential election has show us is that there is still a sizable group that is MODERATE – progressive on social issues, but more conservative (realistic?) on financial ones. They may not be as vocal, but they vote. At least on paper, Maddy’s positions align more with the prior, and we already have plenty of those on the Council (Downs, Bowman, Crossley, even Mr. Humphrey – who I like as our Ward 5 Councilor, but disagree with some of his positions). When it’s time to cast a ballot, my vote will go towards the candidate that doesn’t blindly follow the party line, but addresses each problem individually, thoughtfully and realistically. I will have a keen eye to see if there is more “moderate” in Miss Rinalli and if so, I will check her name off on the ballot. If not, I still appreciate her having the chutzpah to thrown her hat in the ring!
Happy Thursday everyone. Can’t wait till Friday!
@Jason H Many Newton residents think that the positions Maddy holds already have an over-sized representation on the current city council. Jay Ciccone certainly wasn’t in that camp so to replacing him with someone who advocates for those views just further tips the representation away from being truly representative not just of Ward 1 but the city. Since this is an at large seat, it will already not be decided by the Ward 1 residents.
I am hoping a candidate who represents the whole population of Newton emerges and strikes a better balance
It’s interesting to see so many in Newton, having just voted to oust Donald Trump in part for his racism and exclusionary policies, skirt ever so close to doing the same when it comes to a candidate seeking to address important issues facing the city, issues that most Newtonians say they support.
If nothing else, it would be wise to treat the next generation that will be taking care of us when we can no longer take care of ourselves.
This sounds great to me. We need some younger folks on City Council. She has a lot of experience for a 20 year old! Someone fresh out of NPS could also lend a fresh perspective that I think is currently missing. If she doesn’t win this time around, I hope she runs again.
re: Scott Lennon
PLEASE run for Mayor again!!! It was such a close election and Fuller lost support of many voters which she cannot afford. I’d rather see Scott as Mayor than run for this seat.
With you, Mary! Scott would be a great Mayor!
No doubt Scott would be a great Mayor of Newton. The Ward 1 Council seat is available and Scott can make a significant contribution to the City right now. Scott has a base of support city-wide and would be the clear front runner. I hope Scott runs and returns to the City Council.
I agree Peter. No reason Scott couldn’t run for that seat and then decide to run for Mayor.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Marc Laredo run for Mayor. Marc and Scott seemed pretty tight so I am guessing that if Marc is planning a run, Scott might not. Either of them would be a vast improvement.
@Ted, don’t think anyone is advocating for another Trump. 😉
Those most vocal in Newton tend to swing to the extreme left. And from an eyeballs and clicks point to view, it makes sense. But it was Biden that came out ahead; but ahead of Trump as well as the rest of the party.
As the last few comments pointed out, Newton voters are seeking more balance in The Force; more moderate representation; whether it be Scott Lennon, or Marc Laredo. Either would get my vote!
An interesting aside. The Biden Harris ticket carried Newton by the highest total and percentage vote of any Presidential candidate since the old Newton Graphic started compiling election returns in 1888. He beat out Hillary Clinton’s previous lead in Newton by a whisker.
Matt, “Newton voters” is a highly fluid concept. So is “moderate”. A majority of the same voters who voted for Biden also voted for Northland. A minority was against it. That’s fine. My point was that in this era of social justice reckoning, it isn’t enough for Newton residents to display the “welcoming” and “hate has no home here” signs while opposing or doing little to actually address the real changes needed to make progress. That would be just like Trump, who won based on his alleged care about the middle class who put him into office. Of course, but instead lined his pockets and that of the 1% and much worse. If progressives and others in Newton want to be taken seriously, they won’t fall into the same trap. BTW, the next Trump is out there waiting to happen. And we’ll be the last ones to realize it.
@ted, after a full day of work, I’m prob not articulating the point as well as inside my head, but I also don’t think we’re that far apart.
Social justice reckoning is here and I’m not debating it’s a negative thing. I don’t think anyone seriously wants to prevent people from joining our community but Austin Street is online and are we any more welcoming or diverse than before? We can debate this in 5-7 years when Northland, Riverside and Trio goes online. If you’re right, your favorite bottle of scotch is on me. If not….
As an end result, we all want the same thing. Our debate is in the path to get there. Do we run the with blind abandon? Or with a streaky, measured pace?
If memory serves, the tortoise beat the hare. Have a great weekend!
Austin Street was never about affordable housing. Vibrant villages need people and if we get some affordable units along the way, great.
I love this forum when people go all in with the “Radical” scare tactics. Radical – BOOO! scared ya. Ubanization – BOOO! scared ya. Turning our centers into Ghettos – BOOO! scared ya. Heck Radicals are going to get rid of Santa Claus – BOOO! scared ya. Just stop please. We had enough with Trump so please stop.
Pragmatic Progressives, Moderates? Or are Tarik and John just Republicans? I think up until he started to run for city council John was a registered Republican. By I digress. If elected John and Tarik will vote NO on any and all things progressive. They will vote NO on everything progressive. Zoning Reform – NO vote, Charter Change – NO vote, Marijuana – NO vote. 16 year old voting – NO vote, Police reform – NO vote.. And I can’t imagine they will go against RightSize Newton and Save Nonantum since they were sponsored by those groups, And no one will ever confuse those groups and their followers as being progressive. Most would dare say those groups are “radical”. I promise not to bring up the email floating around …
@Newtoner. Is Maddy the opposite of Jay Ciccone? Yes 180 degrees and that is a good thing. Nothing against Jay but he never pretended to be a Progressive or even a Pragmatic Progressive. I would respect Tarik and John more if they were more honest in their views and ran as Preservationists.
I’m voting Maddy.
xoxox Gossip Girl