Candidate Profile: Stephenson Aman, Ward 2 City Council

SOMERVILLE, MA — Stephenson Aman is running for city council in Ward 2 in the Nov. 2 municipal election. He is challenging incumbent city councilor JT Scott. There will also be citywide elections for mayor and councilor at-large, as well as elections for city council and school committee in certain wards.

Somerville Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles this week.

Aman is a community coordinator for Somerville City Hall. He also coaches youth sports advocates for the youth and people with disabilities.

Are you running for office in Somerville? Contact Alex Newman at alex.newman@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Somerville Patch.

Age (as of Election Day)

37

Position Sought

Ward 2 city council

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Giselle Aman 10 only daughter

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My cousin, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, of New York, is my family's first politician.

Education

2012-2014 UMass Boston B.A political science
2009-2012 Bunker Hill Community College A.A History and Gov.

Occupation

Community liaison, Communication department, city of Somerville Jan 2020-current

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

StephensonAman.Org

Why are you seeking elective office?

To be the voice the people need

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The current councilman can not vote on any development being done. Which prevented the community from getting anything out of the multi-billion dollar development deal done in the ward.

I intend to go back and ask in hopes we get something or at least build a bond for future opportunities.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Police reform
Immigrant/Youth service
Housing
Commercial space

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

By not selling his property long ago to help vote on the current developments in the ward.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Everyone tried their best! We’ve never experienced something like this so I’m happy with the response and the amount of vaccines token but I’d like to see Somerville closer to 90-95% vaccinated by the end of the year.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Police reform is something our community has to look at. With the increase in population in our city we have to visit reform to better aid our department.

Housing and commercial space, should run hand and hand. They help out for each other. Let’s focus on parts of our community we can convert so we’re able to take advantage of the community benefits that could come from that.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My greatest accomplishment was deciding not to feel bad for myself. Taking the worst out of something and getting involved in my community. The evidence I can handle this is me! I’m proof giving up isn’t an option!

The best advice ever shared with me was:

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

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

StephensonAman.org