After months of speculation about whether Mayor Ruthanne Fuller would run for a third term, she announced on Tuesday, December 3: “I have decided not to run for reelection next year as Mayor of Newton.” Her announcement was in the Mayor’s Newton Update, an afternoon email to Newton residents. The Mayor explained that for the past fifteen years she had dedicated herself “to Newton, its people and our future,” first as a member of the Newton City Council for eight years, and for the last seven as its Mayor.
High among the points she noted “we have accomplishments together” was the recent state and federal commitments for funding to upgrade the Newtonville Commuter Rail Station. Other accomplishments she noted were:
- “A great education for all our students” and renovation of five schools;
- More affordable, diverse housing and updated zoning;
- Road and street improvements for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians;
- Community safety via “excellent police, fire and ambulance services”;
- Village center development;
- Climate crisis solutions such as “Newton Power Choice, electrifying the municipal fleet, and shifting to solar and renewable energy sources”;
- Preserving Newton’s largest green space, Webster Woods;
- “Supporting Newtonians who are marginalized, stigmatized or financially insecure”;
- Construction of the Cooper Center for Active Living;
- Dealing with external forces such as the pandemic and social media;
- “Modeling respectfulness and civility and reinforcing Newton as a welcoming, warm, and accepting community”;
- Supporting art, culture, the Newton Free Library and athletic facilities; and
- Her weekly newsletter to residents.
Although she will not be a candidate next year, she committed herself to the hard work of Mayor for the next 394 days. Apart from “carving out more time for four wonderful grandkids,” she gave no indication that she is considering a specific future responsibility, but she said, ”I look forward to continuing to serve our common goals, our common good and Commonwealth in other ways.”
In Mayor Fuller’s current term, she experienced political setbacks in a decisively failed override initiative and criticism for not being able to avert a Newton Teachers Association strike. A significant number of residents resisted the MBTA Communities Act rezoning plan that she championed and which passed in compromise form. It allows for increased housing density in village centers, particularly along Washington Street, where large apartment complexes are in the works.
Thus far, the only announced mayoral candidate is City Council President Marc Laredo, who made his intentions known in October. In response to Mayor Fuller’s decision, Mr. Laredo said:
“All residents of Newton owe Mayor Fuller a debt of gratitude for her many years of hard work on behalf of our city. She leaves a strong legacy of accomplishment, and I look forward to working with her during the remainder of her term in office.”
Mayor Fuller’s most recent challenger for the Mayor’s office, Amy Sangiolo, now State Representative-Elect, responded:
“I respect Mayor Fuller’s decision to not seek re-election. Despite our policy differences and approach to governing, I appreciate what Mayor Fuller has accomplished for the City of Newton, including addressing much needed municipal and school building capital projects, advancing climate initiatives, and promoting arts and culture. I look forward to working closely with her during her remaining year as Mayor, in my new role as state representative.”