David Micley, a fourth-generation Newton resident, handily won the Ward 2 seat currently held by Emily Norton, who is retiring from the City Council. Having run and lost in a Ward 2 At-Large race in 2021, Mr. Micley came in second in the three-way September 12 preliminary, defeating Peter Bruce, who later endorsed him. In Tuesday’s race he defeated first-time candidate Dan Gaynor 1,782 to 1,109.
Councilor-elect Micley ran a door-to-door, grassroots campaign with the help of Peter Bruce, former President of the Newtonville Area Council; Jack Norton, a 20-year old Newtonville resident who served as Field Director; City Councilor Tarik Lucas, who spent weekends knocking on doors for Mr. Micley; and a corps of volunteers. Jane Frantz, a retired Newton school teacher, who has lamented what she termed the lack of collaboration on the City Council, said she supported Mr. Micley because he is thoughtful and collaborative. She thinks he will work with colleagues “to get to yes.”
Marc Laredo, who grew up in Ward 2 and is an At-Large City Councilor from Ward 7, praised Micley’s “incredible campaign.” At the same time, he thanked everyone “who put themselves out there to run for office.” Echoing Mr. Laredo, John Oliver, At-Large Councilor from Ward 1, who also worked on Micley’s campaign, lauded all the candidates who ran and all the residents who came out to vote.
Although a group of local organizations generally opposing Newton’s comprehensive village center zoning initiative did endorse him, Mr. Micley did not actively seek their endorsement. He focused on knocking on Newtonville doors, talking to Newtonville residents, and asking them what they felt the role of city government should be. From his months of talking to voters, he believes they are open to some development and some growth. As a member of the City Council, he will aim to look for the “middle ground” and work to develop a plan that City Councilors can “gather around.” Mr. Micley noted that current development activity is obliterating naturally affordable housing, building much more expensive developments, thereby displacing a more diverse group of residents.
Departing Councilor Norton said she was impressed with how hard Mr. Micley campaigned and predicted that he would be a very successful Councilor.
