A note to readers:
Several weeks ago, we introduced what we had hoped to be a weekly feature called, “Oh, Brother.” It included columns written by brothers David and Victor L’Esperance, who are on opposite sides of Lynn’s mayoral race — David supporting Darren Cyr and Victor supporting Jared Nicholson.
After the first columns were published, the Cyr campaign discontinued its participation.
We continued to run Victor L’Esperance’s columns through today. We anticipate reviving the “Oh, Brother” concept with pieces focusing on a variety of topics after the election.
“The future depends on what we do in the present,” said Mahatma Gandhi.
The 2021 campaign for mayor of Lynn is coming to a close. Voters sense that this moment is an inflection point in the history of the city. As readers of this page know, my choice is Jared Nicholson, whom many readers know from his relentless door knocking. His energy and command of the issues are obvious. His enthusiasm has caught on across the city.
Nicholson, his wife, Katherine, a midwife at Massachusetts General Hospital, and son Henry have been in the community for years. Nicholson is a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School. He is a law professor at Northeastern specializing in small businesses and is serving his third term on the Lynn School Committee.
This campaign has been an uphill battle. Nicholson’s opponent, City Council President Darren Cyr is a well-known, long-time politician who has raised and spent much more money than Nicholson. You can’t turn around without seeing a Darren sign. If you track the early campaign-finance reports it’s clear that conventional wisdom from city insiders had anointed Cyr as the next mayor.
Nevertheless, Nicholson has garnered the support of every community group and labor organization that solicited responses to questions about issues of importance to their members. Teachers, firefighters, plumbers, carpenters, highly skilled GE craftspeople and healthcare workers, among others, have all risen as one to stand with him in his quest for the mayor’s office.
Their support stems from more than ticking boxes on dry questionnaires. He proposed a potential solution to financing the construction of new schools in Lynn. He articulated a well-reasoned approach, resulting in a bill developed with the Lynn legislative delegation to change the outmoded funding formula for new school funding. This out-of-the-box thinking appealed to both teachers and construction workers.
The building trades don’t always involve themselves in municipal elections but in this instance see Jared Nicholson as a candidate who shares many of the same goals and recognizes the challenges their members face. A central theme of Nicholson’s campaign has been development for all.
Simply put, that means work for tradespeople and affordable housing for them and their families. That’s as basic as it gets and the members and leadership of these groups have concluded that Jared is best able to deliver on these fundamental needs.
Lynn is a minority-majority city with approximately 45 percent Hispanic residents. Jared is a fluent Spanish speaker, which is especially important at this time in the city’s history. His endorsements by community groups such as Neighbor to Neighbor and Lynn United for Change are as much a function of his policy positions as his facility with Spanish.
I worry about the condition of the climate and what we are turning over to the next generations. So the endorsement of The Environmental League of Massachusetts is notable. Jared wrote an opinion piece published on The Item Opinion page decrying the state of King’s Beach. He will keep its cleanup front and center as mayor.
In addition, The Boston Globe endorsed Nicholson on its Friday editorial page.
Leadership in the 21st century is defined by the ability to work with people of different backgrounds and disciplines to accomplish defined goals. Mayor McGee and state Sen. Brendan Crighton endorsed Jared Nicholson in this election because they have worked with him and recognize Jared’s leadership qualities and cooperative skills. They know Nicholson’s consistent focus, hard work, and expertise will be a tremendous asset to the city. Congressman Seth Moulton also believes that Jared Nicholson will be the best mayor for Lynn.
Voters have a choice on Nov. 2. Darren Cyr was one of two city councilors to oppose the housing production plan. Jared served on the steering committee and spent countless hours working on this effort that was supported by hundreds of advocates.
Cyr has espoused an approach to development that contradicts his public statements about affordable housing, as most of the new projects in the city contain zero affordable units. His stances on education and infrastructure were similarly reviewed by the teachers and building trades unions. These groups support Jared Nicholson after comparing each candidate’s positions.
Jared Nicholson brings energy and enthusiasm to whatever he tackles. The wide breadth and depth of support earned by Jared is a testament to a record of leadership and commitment to growth that includes all of Lynn through better schools, better housing, better infrastructure and peace in our community.
I urge you to vote Jared Nicholson for mayor.
Victor L’Esperance is a political activist with local, state, national, and international campaign experience.
