Somerville Candidate Profile: Emily Hardt For Ward 7 City Council

SOMERVILLE, MA — The municipal election is fast approaching in Somerville, and the city council race is highly contested.

Somerville Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles leading up to November.

Emily Hardt is running for Ward 7 City Councilor in Somerville.

Age

50

Position sought

Ward 7 City Councilor

Party affiliation

Democrat

Family

I have a wonderful husband, Peter, and daughter, Ruthie, who is in fourth grade, and an energetic dog named Clover.

Education

I earned a BA from Southwestern University and a MA and PhD in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Occupation

For the past decade, I have been a Lecturer in the Gender, Leadership & Public Policy Program at UMass Boston.

Previous or Current Elected Office

None

Campaign Website

https://emilyhardtforsomerville.com/

Why are you seeking elected office?

I am running because it is more urgent than ever to build a Somerville that truly works for everyone – where people can afford the cost of housing, can get around safely on our streets and sidewalks, and can count on their government to stand up for them. I am ready to fight for our public schools, work for responsive and transparent city government, and ensure public safety.

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

The housing affordability crisis is the biggest issue we are facing. Across Ward 7, I have talked to hundreds of residents struggling to stay in their homes, from families who have lived here for decades to young renters who would like to stay but can’t afford to. My top priority will be to advance more affordable housing, make it easier for first-time homebuyers, and support tenants. I will promote changes to our zoning laws to add density bonuses for affordable units, integrate housing in large scale commercial development, and allow for greater housing density near transit, where appropriate. We need to streamline our permitting procedures to save time and money. We also need to fight against land speculation by raising taxes on homes that are left vacant for years. I will advocate for programs that help seniors stay in their homes and support small landlords who lower rents for older residents. I will also advocate for the City’s home rule petitions to allow for rent stabilization and a small transfer fee on high-end real estate transactions to create dedicated funding for affordable housing production and preservation.

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

I have a strong track record of solving problems and working for justice in our community. When I worked with Mothers Out Front Somerville, we compelled Eversource to fix a series of gas leaks on Somerville Ave. and the city to replace killed trees. Our work resulted in cleaner air and a cooler street. I am proud that I was a part of that effort. As a parent in the Somerville Public Schools, Co-President in the PTA, and member of the School Improvement Council, I have collaborated with other caregivers and educators to make our school community stronger and more inclusive. As a teacher of politics and public policy, I have mentored the next generation of policymakers and advocates, who are now serving in public office and writing legislation in the State House. I served as the Executive Director of the Women’s Institute for Leadership Development, amplifying women’s leadership in the Massachusetts labor movement and advancing workers’ rights, language justice, and economic justice. When I worked as a union organizer, I was part of successful union campaigns that brought together hundreds of workers to win collective bargaining agreements with better wages, benefits, and job security, including here in Somerville. I have the energy and commitment for this job, and I am ready to hit the ground running to get results for the residents of Ward 7.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I will push for reliable city services and real solutions to the worsening rat problem. I will work to make our streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. I will also push to increase access to public transportation. I will fight for investments in early education, out-of-school-time programming, and vocational-technical education, including preparing students for well-paying green jobs. I will support bold local climate action, including making sure we’re prepared for rising temperatures and increased flooding.

The best advice ever shared with me was __________

To focus on talking to people one-on-one and listening to their concerns. The hundreds of conversations I’ve had with Ward 7 residents over the course of the campaign and the relationships I’ve built mean so much to me. I have developed an even greater appreciation and love of Somerville and all of the passionate, diverse people in it. My conversations with voters have been humbling and grounding.

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

I can’t wait to get to work bringing people together to address the tough problems we are facing in Somerville. I am committed to Somerville and committed to you.

See Also:

Somerville Preliminary Election Results: Incumbent Mayor Voted Out