Waltham Teacher Announces Run For City Council Seat

A Waltham High School teacher has announced he will run for the Ward 8 City Council seat.

Francis X. Stanton, a U.S. History teacher, said in a statement he has pulled nomination papers to get on the ballot for the September primary election. Ward 8 Councillor Stephen Rourke told Waltham Patch he intends to seek reelection but has not yet taken out nomination papers. 

Stanton, who previously lost a bid to become a state representative for Waltham, cited several reasons for running including attracting development to the downtown area.

"I would like to see the Southside flourish as a neighborhood. Accordingly, with input from the neighborhood, a possible further extension of Moody Street’s business district should be explored. Any such plan should include attracting retail outlets, adequate parking, and be undertaken only after a proper study of how the expansion would affect traffic and surrounding environs," Francis wrote.

Stanton said he would be out door-knocking soon to drum up votes. 

The deadline to submit nomination papers with signatures is June 27 and the primary election is set for Sept. 17. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 5.