Marc Levy
Affordable housing and the Cycling Safety Ordinance – the city’s plan to roll out more bike lanes across Cambridge, including on Broadway, Cambridge and Main streets, and Massachusetts Avenue – are the main topics candidates can’t avoid in the 2025 elections.
Not surprisingly, local independent expenditure political action committees have formed around these very issues. We’ve also included a third topic many candidates bring up in their platforms. Here’s a look at where each candidate stands on these key points since they’ll probably influence Tuesday’s election results under the city’s ranked-choice voting system (see our explainer).
Since Councillor Paul Toner isn’t running again, there will definitely be a new face on council when the next term starts in January. But among those running, plenty oppose how Cambridge is currently handling housing growth and transportation safety. The city elects nine councillors directly; those councillors then pick the mayor and vice mayor. Some incumbents running again have served as mayor or vice mayor before – so when we mention their number of terms on council, that includes any time spent in those roles.
Citizen groups, especially three independent expenditure PACs or Super PACs, have been talked about quite a bit during this campaign. Cambridge has three such Super PACs: Cambridge Bike Safety and two focused on housing development called A Better Cambridge and Cambridge Citizens Coalition. (The latter also backs School Committee candidates.) Below is who they’ve endorsed for City Council.
Endorsements by citizens groups
A Better Cambridge: Burhan Azeem, Dana Bullister, Marc Mc Govern, Ned Melanson, Sumbul Siddiqui, Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, E. Denise Simmons, Ayesha Wilson
Cambridge Citizens Coalition: Elizabeth Bisio, John Hanratty, Peter Hsu, Zion Sherin, Ayesha Wilson, Cathie Zusy
Our Revolution Cambridge: Ayah Al-Zubi, Stanislav Rivkin, Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Cambridge Residents Alliance: Ayah Al-Zubi, Patty Nolan, Stanislav Rivkin, Sumbul Siddiqui, Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Cambridge Bike Safety: Ayah Al-Zubi (champion), Burhan Azeem (champion), Dana Bullister (champion), Marc Mc Govern (champion), Ned Melanson (champion), Sumbul Siddiqui (champion), Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler (champion), La Queen Battle (supporter), Peter Hsu (supporter), Patty Nolan (supporter), Stanislav Rivkin (supporter), Cathie Zusy (supporter)
(One citizens group called Cambridge Voters 4 Good Government hasn’t posted endorsements yet as of this writing.)
Here’s a quick glossary for some important terms:
“Bike Champion”: This is the top endorsement from Cambridge Bicycle Safety based on questionnaire answers about transportation issues plus how committed candidates are to fully carrying out the Cycling Safety Ordinance – including if incumbents’ voting records support it.
Inclusionary zoning: This means residential buildings with 10 or more units must set aside 20 percent of floor space for affordable housing – usually capped at households making no more than 30 percent of gross income.
Upzoning: This refers to zoning changes that allow taller buildings and higher density. In February this year they passed multifamily housing rules that got rid of single- and two-family zones and let most areas build up to four stories tall-six stories if it’s an inclusionary project with big lots-known as the “four-plus-two” model.
Repeal Slate : Four candidates who say they’ll try to undo recent upzoning if elected.
Candidates Running for City Council
Ayah Al-Zubi
Bruno Munoz-Oropeza
Al-Zubi is a community organizer who almost made it onto City Council last year finishing just one spot short when counting first-choice votes. Born in Jordan but raised mostly in Midwest , she moved here to attend Harvard College , graduating just last year.
Housing : She wants to use both city funds and borrowed money to build social housing which would mix public affordable units with market-rate ones. Her plan calls for issuing $50 million bonds toward this. She supports keeping inclusionary zoning at 20 percent affordable but worries about environmental impacts from recent upzoning saying , “We can at least make amendments to the reform so that they’re more reflective of an equitable way to address environmental concerns.”
Bike lanes : She took the Cycling Safety Ordinance pledge , is counted among bike champions by local advocates , and pushes for better road safety education.
Other issue : Wants a grocery store owned by city residents opened in Central Square – something new for Cambridge.
Burhan Azeem
Azeem started a nonprofit focused on housing advocacy with his background as data engineer. He became youngest member ever elected in ’21.
Housing: Azeem voted yes on February upzoning. He wrote law removing minimum parking spots making Camb first Mass city without that requirement.“People deserve housing security. Cambridge must build transit-friendly homes & protect tenants,” he writes.“We need greener homes but keep city walkable & transit-focused.”
Bike lanes: Azeem pledged support & is named bike champion.
Other issue: Getting seat on MBTA board so can push for better service.
La Queen Battle
Battle also runs Battle First Aid Responder Services nonprofit & works gigs via Instawork. She studied Spanish lit at Purdue & takes classes through Harvard Med online. Lived South Chicago 10 yrs before moving here. She hasn’t released full platform nor done interview besides CCTV.
Housing:”I’m really thankful that.. city’s doing lots of changes,” she told CCTV but didn’t specify which ones. She says improving homeownership should be next focus.
Bike lanes: Pledged full Cycling Safety Ordinance completion but worries over losing parking spaces per her questionnaire. Endorsed only as ‘bike supporter,’ not champion.
Other issue: Better upkeep at Valente Branch library in East Camb.
Elizabeth Bisio
Bisio used to work ER nursing & telehealth; co-founded vet services company offering online/in-person care recently.
Housing: Bisio belongs to Repeal Slate. She wants neighborhoods involved more in building designs & increase setbacks beyond current five feet.”People just don’t feel heard right now,” she told us.
Bike lanes: Bisio opposes removing parking spots without neighborhood input. Doesn’t have Cam Bike Safety endorsement or pledge completion status.
Other issue: Add homeless/opioid services throughout city equitably.
Dana Bullister
Bullister studies public policy design at Northeastern; has data science background. Came 14th out of 21 in ’21 council race.
Housing: Supports latest multifamily zoning. Wants land value tax discouraging unused lots.”I’m proposing petitioning state so we tax land value differently from buildings,” she said.”That lets us lower taxes on buildings while raising them on land.”
Bike lanes: Pledged ordinance completion; considered bike champion by local group.
Main side idea: Dynamically priced metered parking where first quarter-hour free then prices adjust based on demand aiming for ~85% occupancy rate.
Tim Flaherty
Flaherty works trial lawyer mainly criminal defense; also prosecuted before facing federal witness-tampering charge reduced later. He ran twice for state Senate.
Housing : Strongly against recent upzoning. Supports incentives converting old offices into homes near transit.
Bike Lanes : Likes expanding bike paths sometimes but wary about losing parking. No endorsement from bike safety group nor taken ordinance pledge.
Side focus : Plans youth violence prevention program focusing ages16-24 combining mental health methods like CBT aiming less incarceration/more jobs/better parenting.
John Hanratty
Hanratty retired tech exec who founded Neighborhood Nine Coalition connecting locals with municipal policies. In ‘23 came14thof24byfirst-choicevotes.
Housing : Partof Repeal Slate. Blames density-over-character policies lacking green space/accessibility/livability.
Bike lanes : Opposes putting them without community input. Suedin ‘22to remove installed lanes.
Side aim : Wants budget cuts citing $77m fire HQ redo wasteful example.
Peter Hsu
<Hsu works pediatric oncology Boston Children’s Hospital plus hospitalist Beth Israel Deaconess. His family immigrated from Taiwan when he was12.<Housing: Hsu belongs Repeal Slate. Supportsaffordablehousinggrowthwith neighborhood input.<Bike Lanes: Hsu pledges full cycling safety ord., only repeal slate member todoso. He's abike supporterbutnotchmpn. Hopesto boostroadsafetyedu. Sideissue: Tighteningcitydepartmentcollabto expand addiction medicineandmentalhealthservicesbeyond hospitals.<Hcmcgovern Mc Govern, a socialworkerwhoworkswithatriskkids&families. Grewup Cambattendedlocalhighschool. Servedschoolcommittee10yrs. Hasbeenmayorandvice. Houingvtesfavorupzonngraisingaffordablerate20percent. Morepaiddevelopmentfundtrust. Affordable Overlayencourages100percentaffordablebuildings. Bikelanes Lead sponsorcyclingordinance, bikeschampion. Sideissue Advocatesanimalrightsagainstpetshopsbadbreeders, wantsmoredogparks. Melanson Publicdefendercofounderlawgrouphelpingdisabledclaimbenefits. Supportsmultifamily&overlay defendfrom repeal. Bikeschampionwantsbetterconnectivitymakingbiking safeforall:“Wantkidssendingtoschoolonbikealone.” Improvesaccessibilitypubliceventscaptionsliveclosed captionmeeting. Nolan Startupconsultant Harvard Yalegradserved14yearson School Committee. Backedrecentupzone. campaignedmoratorium Alewifeforcomprehensiveplan. Supportsexpandingbikelanesusesdataenforcementwhileconsideringsmallbizmobility Needs. Bikesupporternot champion. Updatingcitycharterfirstreview80years. Drives Novballot effort since ’20. Rivkin Harvard Kennedy midcareer MPAgrad Immigratedfrom Uzbekistan Helpedbyhousingprogramsinspiredpolicywork. Associate admissionsdirector Harvard Ed15yrsyouthprogramsexpert. Prefersbuildingneartransitsquarescorridorswithpublicinvestmentvouchers. Bikesupporterseeksfairparkingprotectedlanescalminglawenforcementforalltransportmodes. Protectslocalsfrom Trumperaeffectslegalaidfree speechdocumentation rights help. Sherin Recent Cornell grad solarbusiness background advocates transparency clearer City Hall communication. Repeal Slatemember. Promotes expert panelrethink zoningacrosstownwantfirsttimebuyer aid. Expands protected bikelanesparkingalternativescommunityinput. Not endorsedby bikegroup. Focusgovt communication plain language honesty toolsengagementwithoutexpertise needed. Siddiqui First Muslimmayor Massachusetts. Livedhere sinceage two afterfamily emigrated Pakistan. Attorney worked NE Legal Aid supporting small businesses. Lowincome entrepreneurs advocate. Votedyesupzoningadvocated Office Housing Stabilityraised developercontributionstransfer tax large sales. Called cyclingordinance projects safer More accessible Meets sustainability goals. Needs better communication tradeoffs proactive mitigation effort, says champion cyclist, Helpedstart Rise Up guaranteed income program hopes continue funding despite Covid-era drying early ’25. Simmons Longest serving councilmember30+ years public service including leadership civic unity committee1990s school committee2008first Black openly lesbian mayorservedagaincurrent term seeks13thterm. Was key pro-housing voicehelped pass affordable overlay expansiontripled linkage fee developers pay trust. Except few oppositions bike safety agenda. Is one of only twopoliticians receiving do-not-rank suggestion by bikers advocating street safety agenda. Often speaks seniors faith communities needs incorporated legislation discussions. Sobrinho-Wheeler Betweentermsworked Working Families Party crafting laws affordablehousing childcare sustainability. Votes consistently pro-zoning reforms WANTS demolish exclusionary ZONING ADD triple deckers back. Createcommunityland trust strengthen renter rights. Pass rent stabilization streamline office conversions incentivize affordability. Bike champ opposed delays bike lane install. Perfect voting record street safety. Favors fare-free buses bus priority lanes. Public campaign financing advocate. Venden Master real estate finance moved Wisconsin ran Beacon Hill inn previously bank asset manager. On select board Provincetown now write-in due Election Commission paperwork error final nomination day. Recent zoning incentives poorly handled Affordable Overlay built62 homes Multifamily unintended institutional growth led legal settlement. Car reduction enforcement speed cameras accident tracking lighting visibility improvement. Cam bridge Bike Safety endorsee Bikes network complete goal. Concern accountability childcare vouchers match family needs reform focus. Wilson Life-long Camb Jefferson Park Housing grew teaching Work Force high school life career skills. Exec director Emerge Democrats training women office. Former School Committee Only candidate endorsed both opposing PACs. About zoning backed latest changed failed proposed three-plus-three model. One twocouncil incumbents do-not-rank biking group. Shocked Garden St rollout near home fears lack consideration car parking mobility parents seniors disabled business owners. Mental health investment wellness checks crisis line elderly abuse victims advocate social worker. Winters Writes civic journal math lecturer Harvard Extension Former MIT faculty. Opposed latest multifamily rules calls ordinance ill-begotten. Envision planning advisory worked months feels target12k+homes unsupported“I said ‘Where’dthat come from?’This based fiction.”Not endorsed bikers no pledge. Calls some current lines hostile ridiculous. Involved environment since1980s helped start recycling program. Zusy Led Magazine Beach Park revival nicknamed Magazine Beach Lady. Former museum curator restored African Orthodox Church Started If This House Could Talk historic houses event. Joined council special election after Joan Pickett death. Focuses Envision goals adding height density squares traffic corridors avoiding drastic low neighborhood change. Voted alone against four-plus-two model prefers incentivizing low-middle income Inclusionary creation community land trust asking universities house grads Finding underusedlots involving neighborhood groups solves crisis. As biker likes separatedlanes cautious speeding installation until parking alternatives funded. Address biking safely balanced tight budgets constant fiscal responsibility criticizes costly projects testing priorities. This post was updated Nov.3 ,2025 adding Cathie Zusy as Cam Bridge Bicycle Safety supporter.
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