MA Patch Candidate Profile: Tamisha Civil For Governor's Council

MILFORD, MA — The 2024 election is heating up in Massachusetts and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election at the top of the ticket, but there are other contested state and local races as well.

Tamisha Civil is a Democrat running for Governor's Council in the Second District.

She is running against Francis Crimmins Jr., a Republican. The seat is currently vacant, according to Mass.gov.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Civil has answered Patch's questions below.

Age: 44

Position sought: Governor's Council District 2

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: Proud mother of a son and a mini golden doodle

Education: Masters Degree in Criminal Justice & Leadership from Northeastern University

Occupation: Associate Probation Officer

Previous or Current Elected Office: Stoughton Town Meeting Representative

Campaign Website: www.tamishacivil.com

Why are you seeking elected office?

I'm running for Governor’s Council because I believe I have the right experience and vision to make our justice system work fairly for everyone in Massachusetts. I’ve seen firsthand how our justice system can leave people behind: my cousin, someone who helped raise me when my parents were at work, was falsely imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Seeing him sit in jail for 27 years, before being exonerated in 2021, really incentivized me to make a change.

I’m running specifically for this position because it has the power to directly examine and combat injustice in our criminal justice system. One of the Governor’s Council’s most important jobs is vetting and approving judicial nominations, a duty that I will use to ensure our justice system is filled with qualified judges who will do what they can to ensure what happened to my cousin never happens to another family.

What are the critical differences between you and other candidates seeking this post?
I am the one candidate in this race who has promised to only vote for pro-choice judges. At a time when reproductive rights are under attack around the country, I believe our judges should be committed to upholding Massachusetts’ strong reproductive healthcare laws. Therefore, as someone who is 100% pro-choice, I have pledged to vet every judge to ensure they will never undermine that fundamental right.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Restorative Justice

I am committed to supporting pro-choice judges who prioritize equal justice. My cousin was the victim of a system that assumes some people are guilty before proven innocent. That’s why I have dedicated so much of my life to righting the injustices I've seen. I spent the last six years serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an Associate Probation Officer in the trial courts.My work entails keeping the community safe, reducing recidivism, contributing to the fair and equitable administration of justice, supporting victims and survivors, and assisting individuals and families in achieving long term positive change. My goal is to nominate judges that understand the impact of dismantling systemic injustice throughout Massachusetts.

Domestic Violence

I have years of experience working to support victims of domestic violence. I was a Victim Witness Advocate for the Suffolk District Attorney’s office, where I was professionally trained to provide resources to victims of crime, including but not limited to restraining order assistance, housing assistance, grand jury preparation, and insights on legal rights and protections. I'm also a legal advocate for victims of domestic violence homeless shelter at Finex House, where I help operate the crisis support line, provide translation services, and aid victims as they navigate the criminal justice system.

Addiction

The War on Drugs has failed. The best way to help a person who is misusing substances is through intervention, not throwing them in jail. I believe we need to appoint more judges who take a mental health approach to addiction, treating it like the life threatening disease it is and shifting away from over-incarceration. My end goal is to educate the public and help families across Massachusetts navigate the court system with the assistance of judges that understand the need for Section 35 petitions.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

As an Associate Probation Officer, I have worked to reduce recidivism and to help people who have served their time re-enter society. As a legal advocate for a domestic violence shelter and a Victim Witness Advocate at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, I've spent years working to support victims of crime and guide them through complex processes. I have decades of experience working in and around the court system, and I will bring this experience to the Councilor’s office.
I believe that the solutions to crime come from long-term investments in the community. That’s why I spent my free time trying to address the root causes of poverty and inequality: I helped found a food bank during the pandemic to combat food insecurity, I volunteer as a legal aid for victims of domestic violence, and she hosts a radio program where she brings on local leaders to discuss important topics. I also serve as a Commissioner on the Massachusetts Eastern Regional Commission on the Status of Women, where I work to empower women around the Commonwealth.

We need someone who shares our values and deeply understands the importance of combating injustice. I have the life experience, professional expertise, and vision of the future that District 2 needs in its next Governor’s Councilor.