Beverly City Councilor Brendan Sweeney Launches Mayoral Challenge

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly City Councilor Brendan Sweeney on Thursday launched a campaign for mayor this fall as he vowed to bring "forward-thinking leadership to City Hall and (address) the challenges facing the city after 12 years under the same administration."

Sweeney announced the bid to unseat incumbent Michael Cahill 11 months ahead of Beverly's first election for a four-year mayoral term following a city charter change approved during last year's election cycle.

"Throughout my career, I've focused on bringing results and being accountable to the communities I serve," Sweeney said. "I believe in the power of listening, collaborating, and
leading with integrity.

"Beverly deserves a mayor who will be accessible, transparent, and focused on solving the problems that matter most to residents."

Sweeney has several times challenged the administration while on the City Council in recent months — including on the proposed library renovation, where the mayor-supported funding was voted down, and during the recent teachers' strike when he said the mayor's spending proposals were "unsustainable" and that the city is "looking at a dire fiscal situation after the next fiscal year."

"Beverly needs a fresh vision and a leader committed to tackling the challenges ahead," Sweeney said in a statement to Patch on Thursday. "As mayor, I will focus on delivering essential city services while keeping taxes low, investing in our aging infrastructure — particularly our roads and sidewalks — and ensuring strong support for our schools and public safety.

"With my experience in municipal management and a commitment to the future of Beverly, I am ready to deliver innovative, sustainable, and fiscally responsible solutions that will improve our city for generations to come."

Sweeney is also the assistant town administrator and finance director in Boxford.

He said his primary focuses as mayor will be city infrastructure, public safety, housing and sound financial management.

Sweeney said he is committed to providing open and frequent communication with residents through the city's website, social media, in-person town hall meetings, and proactive community engagement.

Sweeney also pledged to launch a comprehensive, multi-year plan to upgrade roads and sidewalks, prioritize coastal resilience and develop a long-term capital plan for sustainable infrastructure improvements.

He added his intention to "support sustainable housing development that balances the need for affordable housing for working families with the preservation of Beverly's unique character and history" while "minimizing property tax increases with smart financial management."

Sweeney serves on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Municipal Association and sits on Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll's Local Government Advisory Commission.

He previously worked in the state's budget and planning office in the Gov. Charlie Baker administration.

The president of the Kiwanis Club of Beverly holds a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University and a Bachelor of Arts from Gordon College.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)