Peabody Mayoral Challenger Launches Second Bid For City's Top Office

PEABODY, MA — Peabody small business owner Rochelle Agneta officially launched her second bid for mayor on Wednesday, with a pledge to bring transparency, a commitment to education and a desire to build revenue for the city.

"I am running to be the next mayor of Peabody — not because I have all the answers but because I believe in working together to find them," Agneta said in an announcement to Patch. "I am not
just a candidate, I am a parent, a neighbor and a citizen who believes in the promise of this community."

Agneta's bid to unseat Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt came up short in 2023 with Bettencourt getting 6,017 votes to Agneta's 1,129. She said at the time she hoped her challenge would spur the administration to "start to hear the people that they are unhappy and understand why we are."

Agneta said in her announcement that she is committed to safe, strong schools, passionate teachers and access to the resources that allow students to thrive and succeed.

"I will work with educators, parents and community leaders to ensure that every voice is heard and every concern is met with action," she said.

She said the city's approach to using "outdated funding methods" such as "unpredictable" state aid and "free cash" — tax revenue surpluses — is "not a plan, it's a patch job."

"Together, we will create a stronger, more resilient local economy," she said. "As your mayor, I will lead with integrity, open the doors to City Hall and bring transparency to every process.

"Government should not be a mystery. You deserve to know not just what your government is doing but why it is doing it."

Agneta said now is a "time for new thinking and bold ideas."

"I will bring a fresh energy and real solutions rooted in collaboration," she said. "This campaign is not about politics — it is about progress. It is about trust and building opportunities.

"With your support, we will do both. Let's build a better future together."

Agneta will be having a fundraiser on July 18 at Metro Bowl from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a $25 donation that includes pizza and cosmic bowling.

(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.)