LYNN — School Committee member Michael Satterwhite, a candidate for mayor, has been endorsed by both Lynn United for Change and the Teamsters Local 42 Officers.
In announcing its support for the mayoral candidate, Lynn United for Change — a community group that advocates for affordable housing in the city — said Satterwhite is committed to a better and more inclusive future for Lynn.
“He has the experience, training, and skills for the job and he also has the fresh perspective needed to bring much-needed change to City Hall,” Lynn United for Change said in a statement. “He has a deep understanding of the struggles faced by Lynn residents, with a long history of community involvement and lived experience as a former Lynn Public Schools student from a working-class family who endured housing instability as a child.”
Of the three candidates (City Council President Darren Cyr and School Committee member Jared Nicholson are also running), Lynn United for Change said Satterwhite has made the strongest commitment to addressing housing costs that are hurting renters and homeowners, and will insist on development that includes and benefits Lynn residents, rather than excluding and displacing them.
“Michael is the only candidate of color in the contest, and this could be a history-making moment for Lynn, but we wouldn’t endorse anyone unless they supported progressive policies that will make a real difference for the people of our city,” the organization said.
Some of these policies listed by the organization include Satterwhite’s commitment to housing; immigrant rights, by advocating for driver’s-license access regardless of status and ensuring local police are separate from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; economic justice for people of all backgrounds; and fighting structural racism.
The Teamsters Local 42 officers, agents and its entire membership said they support Satterwhite for his work on the School Committee and civic activities in the city.
Teamsters Local 42, which lists its goal as trying to make the community a better place for its members to live, work and raise a family, said Satterwhite has shown the citizens a commitment to working on behalf of people and their families.
Satterwhite said he is excited about these endorsements and the ones he receives every day from hundreds of Lynn residents, including the recent letter of endorsement from former City Councilor Loretta Cuffe-O’Donnell, which The Item published as a letter to the editor last week.
“I am humbled by the kind words and trust in my experience and knowledge that I know will lead our city in a positive direction,” Satterwhite said.
