Preliminary mayoral election in Boston is approaching, college students are concerned in metropolis politics

The race for mayor of Boston is based on five main candidates two candidates in one Area code on September 14th. The election gave Tufts students the opportunity to get involved in local politics and gain experience in grassroots organization.

Of the five main candidates in the candidacy for mayor, four are currently competitive, according to NBC Boston. A poll from Suffolk University / Boston Globe out of print 7th of September indicates that Councilor Michelle Wu is in the lead, followed by Acting Mayor Kim Janey, City council Annissa Essaibi George and Councilor Andrea Campbell.

“[Wu] has a moderate lead in the last two surveys, ”Professor of Political Science said Jeffrey Berry. “Whoever comes out second, provided that Wu comes first, will be in a competitive position.”

berry said incumbents tend to have a significant advantage in Boston mayoral elections, Janey didn’t see the same established advantage. Janey took on the role of incumbent mayor in March as a former mayor Marty Walsh resigned to serve as US Minister of Labor.

“Based on these surveys, it has gone down a bit in the past month or two.” berry called. “It’s a bit of a surprise that she’s not doing better Survey. ”

When it comes to major issues in Boston city politics, Berry said the cost of living is probably the biggest issue for many voters. After a Emerson / 7 News Poll August 23-24, 19% of Boston voters consider housing their top priority.

“Many voters are frustrated and want a change to make paying their rent or a mortgage more sensible.” berry called. “I think they’re smart enough to see that none of the five candidates can really do anything about it. Still, if we ask people what concerns them, the cost of living and especially the cost of housing probably coming on top.”

Education was also a major topic of the race, according to Berry.

“Education is a constant topic in Boston too” he said. “Parents are frustrated that schools aren’t better and there is a lot of debate about access as Boston has some competitive admissions schools … [the candidates] will actually change the school system is unclear, but they speak insistently and comprehensively about education. “

Corresponding Justin Hong, aka Campaign and Advocacy Fellow for the Massachusetts Environmental League (ELM), Wu did global warming a central theme of their campaignn. ELM that supports Wu, advocates a climate-oriented policy at the state and municipal level.

“[Wu’s] Plans – like their proposed city-wide Green New Deal – demonstrate an understanding of the intersectionality between climate change and issues such as public health, transportation and housing politics” Hong, a sophomore, said in to email too the Daily.

Many of the issues discussed by the candidates have an impact on students and residents of the surrounding communities and prompt some students to participate in campaigns. Violet Kopp, a Organization scholarship for Michelle Wusaid that making decisions on issues like transport and climate change in Boston is a Effects on Tufts Students.

“There is a green line [Extension] Stop coming to campus “, Kopp, a sophomore, said. “Michelle is the transportation candidate, and upgrading public transportation is a big deal. It’s one of those specific, everyday things that Tufts students will affect. ”

Hong also said Wu’s proposal to make public transportation free would affect his relationship with the city of Boston.

“With the free public transport I would go to the city and the metro area much more often.” he called.

To the Koppto join Wu’s campaign was inspired by support from the Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, on whose presidential election she had previously worked.

“When I didn’t just see that [Warren] had endorsed this mayoral candidate, but it was a mayoral candidate for a city in which I temporarily lived … I really wanted to get involved. ” said Kopp.

According to Kopp, getting familiar with Boston and its many neighborhoods was a huge challenge. Most of her work involves building coalitions in Hyde Park, including talking to religious and interfaith groups about Wu’s campaign.

“I’m from New York City” she called. “The biggest challenge [for me] is the little cheat syndrome of ‘I’ve lived in Medford and Somerville for a year, what do I know?’ “

Kopp said she hopes the Tufts students recognize the power of city politics and get involved.

“I think there is often a lot of attention paid to federal politics for good reason, but we as individuals have so many more opportunities to make a difference when we engage hyperlocally in our communities.” she said. “And do you know what better way to do that than get involved in a local city? run? “

For Hong, the possibility of stronger representation among the elected officials is exciting.

“Personally, the mayoral election campaign in terms of representation is important to me”, Hong called. “As a Taiwanese compatriot, I am very excited about the prospect of being represented in a prominent constituency Office!”