LYNN — The Lynn municipal election will be happening on Nov. 4. Residents can cast their votes for Mayor, Councilors-at-Large, Ward 1-7 Councilors, and School Committee.
The candidates are as follows:
Mayor
Jared Nicholson (Incumbent — Unopposed)
The 59th mayor of Lynn, Nicholson began his term in 2022. He is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. Prior to being elected mayor, he served three terms on the Lynn School Committee, was a law professor at Northeastern University, and worked as a business lawyer for start-ups and as a legal services attorney in Lynn. His term focuses on “delivering inclusive growth through better schools, better housing, better jobs, better infrastructure, and more peace in the community.”
Nicholson is bilingual in English and Spanish, and he lives with his wife and two sons in Lynn.
Councilor-at-Large
Nicole McClain (Incumbent)
McClain was born and raised in Lynn, and she was the first Black woman elected as a Lynn Councilor-at-Large. She joined the Army National Guard during her junior year at Lynn Tech, and she spent 11 years in the National Guard and served two tours in Iraq: one in 2004 and another in 2008. After returning to Lynn, she operated her own daycare for six years, worked at the Lynn Public Library, LEO Head Start, and Bright Horizons. She is currently a work based learning coordinator at LEAP For Education and founded the North Shore Juneteenth Association in 2017. She was inducted to the Lynn Tech Hall of Fame this April.
“Leadership should be about service. It should be about equity and community connection. I believe that Lynn is us, and we need to provide dedication and support,” McClain said.
Hong Net (Incumbent)
Net has lived in Lynn for 27 years, and he is married with two children. He is a Cambodian “Killing Fields” survivor and former refugee from Thailand who came to the U.S. when he was 15. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and has worked as a child support services specialist at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue; he is also a business partner at the Rainbow Adult Day Healthcare.
His campaign goals center around advocating for adequate funding for public safety, public education, business development, job creation, infrastructure, housing, environment, immigration, and addiction treatment.
“I want to continue to work with all the residents, my colleagues, and the mayor to ensure the prosperity and safety of our city. There are important issues facing our city, and I want to continue to add my voice and experience to help achieve the best solutions,” Net said.
Jean Michael Fana (Challenger)
Fana is a former U.S. Army Sergeant who was born on an army base and raised in Lynn, graduating from Lynn Classical. Currently, he and his wife own a home in Ward 3, where they are raising their two children. His accomplishments include being Lynn’s first outreach director, a JAG Corps paralegal, a Harborlight Homes advocacy manager, and a Green & Gold Congressional Fellow.
His campaign priorities center around tackling affordability for working families and increasing transparency at City Hall.
“I want residents to have clear, accessible communication about city projects, meetings, and results, using modern tools like social media and video updates to keep people informed and engaged,” Fana said. “My campaign is about building a Lynn that is affordable, transparent, and prepared for the future.”
Brian LaPierre (Incumbent)
LaPierre was born and raised in Lynn, and he was a teacher at Lynn Public Schools from 1998-2007. He and his wife Kelly are raising two sons, who currently attend LPS. His campaign accomplishments include: expanding senior center services and doubling the property tax abatement allowance for Lynn veterans with the HERO Act, working with Ward 6 Councilor Fred Hogan to deliver a half-billion dollar private investment along the South Harbor corridor of the Lynnway, advocating to reduce overcrowding in schools, supporting the addition of police officers and firefighters to the city’s ranks, and attending neighborhood meetings throughout Lynn to help address the cost-of-living crisis, housing destabilization, and small business needs.
“I listen, learn, and lead every day by delivering meaningful and impactful city government services to those in need,” LaPierre said.
Brian Field (Incumbent)
Born and raised in Lynn, Field was first elected as Councilor-at-Large in 2017. He serves as the chair of the City’s Opioid Sub-Committee and co-chairs the Lynn Trash and Litter Sub-Committee with Ward 5 Councilor Dianna Chakoutis. He graduated St. Mary’s High School in 1994, then studying accounting and criminal justice at UMass Lowell and business administration at Salem State University. He and his wife have three children, and they reside in Ward 7.
Field attended the National Educational Institute for Funeral Service in New England (now the Funeral Institute of the Northeast). He is currently a funeral director at Solimine Funeral Homes, where he has been working for almost 30 years.
Field said his funeral home service has taught him to be “attentive” and “giving” toward the Lynn community.
“Being hardworking and responsive in the funeral industry has carried over to my service at the Council,” Field said.
Ward 1 Councilor
Pete Meaney (Incumbent)
Born and raised in Lynn to a firefighter and a GE factory worker, Meaney is a U.S. Navy Veteran. Upon returning to Lynn after his service, he worked as a truck driver, a butcher, a hockey referee, and a dental assistant. He received his doctorate in dental medicine from Boston University and is now the owner of Broadway Family Dental.
“I’ve worked to make city government more accessible, more responsive, and more focused on delivering real results for the people of Lynn. Whether it’s advocating for safer streets, better city services, or standing up for working families,” Meaney said.
Meaney added, “Lynn needs more voices who understand the struggles of working people — people who’ve punched a clock, served their country, built something from nothing, and kept going even when the odds were against them.”
Paul Gouthro (Challenger)
Gouthro has been a Lynn resident for 45 years, raising his four daughters in Ward 1. He retired from GE Aerospace after 40 years, where he worked as a machinist, in management in technical writing, and in engineering leadership positions. Gouthro’s campaign goals center around “reducing anxiety” amongst neighbors by being communicative with local issues, such as road and school building construction schedules and new post-construction traffic patterns.
“I promise to return calls immediately. I promise to learn my neighbor’s issues when called and visit with them when necessary. Their issues will become my issues. I have no other desire than to help my neighbors with neighborhood and city-related issues. My focus will be on getting things done,” Gouthro said.
Ward 2 Councilor
Obed Matul (Incumbent — Unopposed)
Born in San Marcos, Guatemala, he graduated from Lynn English and went on to obtain his bachelor’s in business administration from Emmanuel College in Boston. In 2013, Matul and his wife opened their own business, Full Color, now a unionized printshop located in Lynn. Matul was the first Latino City Councilor in Lynn, elected in 2023. During his term, he founded Floating Bridge Pond Association, the Annual Cook Street Park Community Fiesta, and Ward 2 Mobile Food Pantry at Cook Street Park.
“(As) a father, husband and community leader, I have worked hard to ensure a better style of life for all in my community. I look forward to a second term as City Councilor and to be able to continue giving back to my community,” Matul said.
Ward 3 Councilor
Coco Alinsug (Incumbent — Unopposed)
Alinsug is the first Filipino-American City Councilor elected in New England and the first out LGBTQ+ member on the Lynn City Council. He migrated to the U.S. in 1996 from Cebu, Philippines, and was first elected to City Council in 2021. His campaign prioritizes social justice, HIV/AIDS prevention, youth, and arts and culture. He is one of the first members of the Protocol Team that reviewed the study design of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in 2020.
“As Ward Councilors, we are the first line of defense. Rest assured, we will be there for you — because if you are successful, the whole city will be successful,” Alinsug said.
He added, “I was not born and raised here, but this is my home now. The city embraced me. I have no hidden agenda in the city. What I’m doing now is to serve Lynn with all of my heart.”
Ward 4 Councilor
Natasha Megie-Maddrey (Incumbent — Unopposed)
Megie-Maddrey is the daughter of Haitian and Dominican immigrants, and she is the first Afro-Latina elected to Lynn City Council. She has been in Lynn for 27 years, and she has five children and three grandchildren. She grew up in Dorchester, went to Boston Public schools, then moved to Lynn after graduating. She was the first in her family to obtain a four-year college degree, graduating Regis College with a bachelor’s degree in 1998. She then received her juris doctor degree from New England School of Law in 2002.
“The community is very important to me. Whatever event or ribbon-cutting is going on, I’m there because I really care about making sure Lynn businesses feel welcome and supported,” Megie-Maddrey said.
Although she is running unopposed, Megie-Maddrey urged the importance of vote turnout this November.
“We must do better. Please come out and vote; it’s so important,” she said.
Ward 5 Councilor
Josh Polonsky (Challenger)
A lifelong Lynn resident, Polonsky graduated from Lynn Classical High School in 1996. He is the former coach of Lynn Youth Soccer, Flag Football, and Pine Hill Little League, where he also served as a member of the board of directors as the organization’s treasurer for four years. Polonsky has helped run the Pine Hill Civic Association for over 10 years, serving as the president from August of 2018 until August of 2025, and he is currently serving as an assistant coach with Lynn Youth Hockey. He has volunteered with the Lynn Fire and Police Departments, DPW, and City Hall.
“I pride myself on being accessible to every resident of Ward 5, being accountable for every decision made, and I will always lead with honesty, integrity, and transparency,” Polonsky said.
Polonsky and his wife are raising two children who are both currently attending LPS.
Cardeliz Paez (Challenger)
Paez is a lifelong Lynner, and she is running for City Council for the first time. She earned her bachelor’s degree in international policy from Pitzer College in 2021, and she currently works as an economic developer for The Latino Support Network.
“I’m super excited that I’ve had multiple opportunities within the city to grow and develop as a person,” Paez said.
Her campaign centers around economic initiatives and “very necessary” affordable housing development, including heat resilience with infrastructure. Her goals are to coordinate with the City and police department to have residents “feel safe and to be successful.”
“The city where you live isn’t just the place where you rest your head. It’s the place where you exist in your community and build experiences,” Paez said.
Ward 6 Councilor
Fred Hogan (Incumbent — Unopposed)
Born and raised in Lynn, Hogan has volunteered as a coach and mentor for local youth sports, including football, basketball, and baseball programs at Lynn Classical, Lynn English, and Lynn Tech. As Councilor, Hogan focuses on projects including the Lynn Harbor Park development, Pine Hill resurfacing initiative, and expanding public waterfront access along the Lynnway. He also currently serves as a senior lab technician at the Lynn Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. He has also received awards such as the Community Service Award and the YMCA Metro North Volunteer of the Year.
His campaign goals center around clean neighborhoods, strong infrastructure, responsible city planning, supporting local businesses, and advocating for youth programs.
“I remain committed to the belief that strong neighborhoods build a stronger city,” Hogan said.
Ward 7 Councilor
Jordan Avery (Challenger)
Avery is a lifelong Lynn resident who owns Scopa Italian Kitchen and Massachusetts Green Retail in Lynn. He currently serves as chair of the Lynn Human Rights Commission, co-organizer of the annual Lynn Christmas Parade, and a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. His campaign priorities include affordable housing, public safety and infrastructure, supporting youth, seniors, and veterans, hosting regular community meetings, and publishing a Ward 7 newsletter.
“This campaign isn’t about a title; it’s about continuing the work I’ve been doing since a young age: helping, listening, and giving back to the city I truly love. Ward 7 deserves a representative who listens, follows through, and puts people first. I’m running for City Council to continue serving this community with the same dedication, compassion, and energy I’ve shown my entire life,” Avery said.
Billy Devin Jr. (Challenger)
A lifelong resident of Ward 7, Devin Jr. attended Lincoln-Thomson Elementary School, Breed Middle School, and Lynn Classical High School. He has a bachelor of arts in sociology and public relations from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and a master’s degree in school administration from Salem State University. He and his wife of more than 30 years raised their five children in Ward 7, and they attended LPS. He worked as a teacher, coach, and administrator at LPS for 30 years, and he was the Lynn Classical athletic director for 17 years. He was also a youth recreation director at Curwin Circle and Lynn Housing Authority for three years. He retired from LPS in 2024.
“As Ward 7 councilor, I will advocate for public safety, school resources, constituent services, new businesses and housing, the elderly, and youth organizations. I will keep Ward 7 residents informed of important events through a monthly newsletter, updates on my Facebook page, and be accessible and transparent. I will strive to shape the future of Ward 7 and the City of Lynn,” Devin Jr. said.
School Committee
Tristan Smith (Challenger)
Smith worked in LPS as a substitute teacher for nine years, and he has been a cross country and track and field coach for 10 years. He is a member of the Lynn Youth Adolescence Task Force, and he is the co-founder and president of All Lynn Track and Field, a nonprofit that puts on annual cross country meets. Smith became an attorney in 2024 and plans to use his knowledge about policies to identify problems and properly implement solutions to meet the different needs of LPS students. Improving transparency around School Committee decisions by communicating with parents and teachers will be a major goal of his if elected.
“I want to amplify our voices by partnering with the other school districts dealing with (funding) issues firsthand to create a more equitable model for funding,” Smith said.
Smith is currently a Lynn resident. His father, Jim Smith, represented Lynn for four terms as a state representative. His aunt, Deborah Smith Walsh, served as a Lynn City Council member, and his cousin, Steve Walsh, represented Lynn and Nahant as a state representative.
Lorraine Gately (Incumbent)
Gately taught science classes at Lynn Public Schools for 33 and a half years, and she was elected to the School Committee after her retirement. She is currently the vice chair of the School Committee and the chair of the Building and Grounds Subcommittee, and she sits on the Curriculum and Personnel Subcommittees.
During her five terms, she oversaw the establishment of new facilities, including the Pickering Middle School project, the Frederick Douglas Collegiate Academy, the CASA (City Arts and Science Academy) at Fecteau Leary, the Harold Durgin Success Academy, and the Virginia Barton Educational Center at BriarCliff.
“My vision for Lynn Public Schools is to advocate for new or major renovations updating our aging elementary schools. I will continue to have the best interest of the students, parents, as well as the teachers’ and staff voices on the Committee,” Gately said.
Brenda Ortiz McGrath (Challenger)
Ortiz McGrath is a former principal at Waltham Public Schools. She is currently a director of social work, social-emotional learning, and specialized student supports for Chelsea Public Schools. She is a doctoral candidate in educational leadership and supervision at American International College, where her dissertation explores how social-emotional learning and prevention programs beginning in pre-K through grade 12 can reinforce essential skill sets and improve graduation outcomes in urban school settings.
Her further experience includes serving as the vice president of the Lynn Hispanic Scholarship Fund and as a Commissioner on the Essex County Commission on the Status of Women. She is a 2025 leadership cohort fellow at the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).
“I’ve spent my career building systems that lift students and support educators. On the School Committee, I will lead with transparency, collaboration, and authentic thought partnership with students, families, and educators — ensuring every decision reflects what’s best for Lynn’s children,” Ortiz McGrath said.
Julie Pyram Dorsey (Challenger)
Pyram-Dorsey currently teaches business and criminal law at Peabody High School. She formerly taught sixth grade at Fecteau-Leary Middle School and was a substitute teacher for all 27 schools across the Lynn Public School District.
She has a background in low-income housing management, where she has worked with families navigating housing challenges, rental collections, delinquency prevention, and housing court proceedings.
“My campaign is built on the values of equity, opportunity, and community partnership, reflecting a lifelong dedication to service and empowerment. I believe that when schools, families, and the community work together, every child can reach their highest potential,” Dorsey said.
She added, “I am committed to transparency, collaboration, and student-centered decision-making. My goal is to ensure that every student in Lynn has access to quality education, supportive teachers, and a safe environment that encourages learning and growth.”
Brian Castellanos (Incumbent)
A four-term incumbent on the Lynn School Committee, Castellanos has served on the Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee, the Pickering Middle School Committee, and is a board member of LEAP for Education. His priorities as a School Committee member include: increasing social-emotional learning support across the district to reduce dropout and absenteeism rates and advocating for career preparation opportunities such as the biotechnology lab at Lynn Tech and the Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy.
Castellanos is a licensed social worker with a bachelor’s in criminology and a master’s of science in criminal justice. He has worked as a substance use counselor with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office through Adcare and as a master’s-level clinician and mobile crisis worker with Wayside Youth & Families.
“With deep community roots, proven leadership, and a clear vision, I am committed to ensuring every Lynn student is prepared for the workforce and higher education opportunities of the 21st century,” Castellanos said.
Castellanos is a graduate from Lynn English, is a homeowner in Lynn, and has a 1-year-old daughter.
Lenny Peña (Incumbent)
Peña was the only School Committee member who has served on this year’s Lynn Teacher’s Union Negotiations Committee, which ratified contracts for hiring incentives and retention strategies for LPS educators and staff. He is also the founder and owner of the nonprofit organization Lynners Against Drug Abuse, which hosts two annual Walk Against Drugs events.
Seek his third term on the school committee, Peña’s priorities surround filling more full-time pre-K classroom seats, breaking ground for the new Pickering Middle School location, and supporting the prosperity of the City Arts and Sciences Academy (CASA) high school after its recent opening.
Peña attended Lynn Public Schools, resides in East Lynn, and has two children enrolled in LPS.
“I’m seeking reelection to see many of the things we been working hard on come to fruition; we’ve been working so hard, but have a long way to go,” Peña said.
Eric Dugan (Incumbent)
Dugan has a master’s degree in elementary education and has taught in elementary schools for over 20 years. He currently works as a third grade teacher.
“I have a strong understanding of the modern school, pedagogies, and curriculums. This is a unique aspect that I bring to the Committee, one that I believe has served me well in my first two terms,” Dugan said.
Dugan is also chair of the policy sub-committee in Lynn. His campaign goals center around finishing the Pickering Middle School project, closing the “opportunity gap” in Lynn, providing pathways for work opportunities and internships for students, and retaining teachers in Lynn.
Dugan is a married homeowner in Lynn, and his two children are Lynn Classical graduates.
Andrea Satterwhite (Incumbent)
Satterwhite’s platform on the School Committee centers around student safety with preventing school violence, expanding opportunities for student achievement, such as improving operations with overcrowding and infrastructure, and expanding early college programs and AP courses. As chair of the Curriculum Subcommittee, she believes that LPS needs stable and consistent federal funding to provide full curriculums to students. Satterwhite is a Lynn Tech alumni and is a Lynn Tech Hall of Fame inductee. She has previously worked as a school nurse at LPS and is currently a nurse practitioner and local realtor. Three of her four children are enrolled in LPS. Her husband, Michael Satterwhite, served on the School Committee for two terms.
“I am going to be in the LPS system for a very long time. I am driven to run for School Committee to not only be an advocate for my children, but for your children,” Satterwhite said.
Stacy Bryant-Brown (Challenger)
Bryant-Brown is a lifelong Lynn resident and Lynn Classical graduate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Salem State University and has been a juvenile court officer for more than 30 years, currently serving in Lynn. Her campaign goals include prioritizing mental health and trauma support, advocating for fair wages, teacher retention, smaller classrooms, and safer infrastructures within Lynn Public Schools.
“Our schools need someone who understands what our youth are truly facing. I would like to represent their voices to not only express their needs, but to also provide teachers with the support to handle their challenges. (I will) use my decades of firsthand experience to make informed decisions that reflect the realities our youth face every day,” Bryant-Brown said.
