Huge turnout at candidate info session brings hope for A Just Quincy
At least 60 people turned up to an info session for potential candidates, where former city councilor Anne Mahoney was the guest speaker
A Just Quincy (AJQ), a citizen-led group formed in Quincy in mid-2024 in response to the mayor and city council’s approval of exorbitant pay raises for themselves, hosted a lunchtime meet-and-greet on Saturday, January 11th.
The event was designed to provide more information on running for political office. “The pay raises were a symptom of a government that needs more challenges to its power – and in fact most races for ward councilor are uncontested,” said group leader Joe Murphy. “We hope to inspire more people to run for elected office, which should create greater checks and balances in local government.”
The organizers faced some logistical challenges when they had to switch venues at the last minute while contending with Quincy’s first significant snowfall of the new year. Initially, the group had reserved a medium-sized conference room at the public library’s main branch. However, as the RSVP list looked likely to grow beyond the room’s capacity, AJQ approached library staff earlier in the week about upgrading to the larger conference room. After initially being told that would likely be possible, since the larger room was not booked, library administration later returned its verdict on the change: no. That decision held the morning of the event, after a flood of last-minute RSVPs pushed attendance numbers well past the booked room’s capacity.
Fortunately, AJQ quickly secured an alternate venue at the United First Parish Church (the President’s Church), located across the street. According to the church’s website, it is inspired to uphold democratic values and promote “spiritual growth, creative expression, and freedom of thought.”
Despite the last-minute change and the snowy weather, attendance and enthusiasm were undiminished.
The event opened with a 15-minute presentation by AJQ co-founders Joe Murphy and Maggie McKee, who outlined six main points:
Why Quincy needs new candidates
The responsibilities of elected leaders
What to expect while running
Fundraising and campaign spending
How AJQ can support candidates
Qualities AJQ seeks in candidates they endorse
Following the presentation, former school committee member, at-large city councilor, and mayoral candidate Anne Mahoney shared her insights and experiences about running for and serving in elected office. She emphasized that while winning is always the goal, government is strengthened when more people run, regardless of the outcome. She added that elected officials fulfill their duty to represent constituents when they ask tough questions of city leaders, even when it makes them “shake in their boots.”
The event attracted 60 attendees with varying levels of political experience, from campaign veterans to newcomers. The goal was to create opportunities for those new to the process to ask questions and learn from those with firsthand experience.
AJQ was delighted with the turnout and results. “Our current councilors and school committee members should expect to face challengers this year, and we hope that will make them more accountable to their constituents immediately,” said Murphy. “Running for office is truly a form of community service.”
For more information about the event and the resources shared there, visit ajustquincy.com. To sign up for AJQ’s mailing list, visit bit.ly/ajqlist. And to volunteer to help elect new candidates, fill out the form at bit.ly/ajqcanhelp.