Somerville City Councilor Charlotte Kelly Will Not Serve Second Term

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville Councilor At Large Charlotte Kelly has announced that she is unable to serve a second term despite already being on the ballot for next month's election.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Kelly said it has become too difficult to balance her councilor duties and her full-time job.

"I have reached the conclusion that I do not have the capacity to do this job with the level of dedication I believe it requires," Kelly wrote. "I have spent the last two years attempting to juggle serving on the council and working full-time as an organizer. I am now acutely aware of the amount of time, energy and labor it takes to affect the changes I set out to accomplish, particularly under the current structures of the City Council and city government."

The Somerville General Election is scheduled for Nov. 7, and Kelly was among five candidates for four open at-large seats. Also running are incumbents Willie Burnley Jr., Kristen Strezo, and Jake Wilson and challenger Will Mbah.

The Somerville Elections Department confirmed to Patch that Kelly's name will remain on the ballot because ballots already have been printed and sent out to voters.

Matthew McLaughlin, the city councilor representing Ward 1, took to social media to thank Kelly for serving.

"I've already lost two colleagues before a single vote is counted," McLaughlin wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I take that as a testimony of how difficult the job is. Anyone willing to put in the work should be thanked, and Charlotte Kelly put in the work. Thank you for your service."

Beatriz Gomez Mouakad, the city councilor from Ward 5, previously announced she would not run for reelection in order to handle a family health emergency.

In her post, Kelly highlighted some of the issues that Somerville continues to face, including making streets and sidewalks safer from crime, a lack of investment in public services, a crumbling infrastructure and a housing crisis.

Kelly urged her supporters to remain politically active and involved.

"I hope this news comes with a recommitment from all of my supporters to pay attention, to show up, to organize with each other, and to not despair," Kelly wrote.

Kelly continued: "It is clear that Somerville has existential questions ahead. Who do we want to feel safe and comfortable here? What kind of problems are we willing to solve? How long can we continue to give lip service to progress for all while, in reality, continuing with a system of business as usual?