MARBLEHEAD — Immigration Attorney Diann Slavit Baylis announced Friday that she is running for the Massachusetts Governor’s Council in the 6th District.
Slavit Baylis, a Marblehead resident, took out nomination papers this week from the Secretary of State’s Office and plans to collect signatures throughout the district. The election will follow the statewide cycle, with a primary in September and the general election in November.
The Governor’s Council is an elected body that provides advice and consent on the governor’s judicial appointments, pardons and commutations, and warrants for the state treasury. The council also assists in the compilation and certification of statewide election results, a role Slavit Baylis said is especially important.
“I would make sure every vote is counted,” she said. “At this point, our democracy cannot suffer. People have to be on the lookout and make sure things are done the way they’re supposed to be done.”
The 6th District includes parts of Boston and most of Cambridge, along with the cities of Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Revere, and Somerville, and the towns of Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, Wakefield, Winchester, and Winthrop.
Slavit Baylis said her legal career, particularly her work representing immigrant children and families, motivated her to run for the council.
“As an immigration lawyer, I’m passionate about helping immigrants in the community,” she said. “I’ve done a lot of outreach, including Know Your Rights presentations, because I feel like my knowledge can really help somebody out.”
She said one of the council’s most critical responsibilities is reviewing judicial nominations.
“We need judges with knowledge, integrity, and compassion at every level of our judiciary,” Slavit Baylis said. “The Governor’s Council has to make sure that these judges have knowledge, integrity, and compassion, and I will be a voice for that.”
While most immigration proceedings take place in federal courts, key decisions affecting immigrant children, including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, begin in state probate courts. Slavit Baylis said her firsthand experience has shown the importance of judges understanding immigration law.
“These critical decisions impacting the lives of children who entered the country unaccompanied are being made in state probate courts,” she said. “It’s essential that judges be open-minded and willing to learn about these children’s unique situations.”
A lifelong resident of the North Shore region, Slavit Baylis graduated from Merrimack College and Suffolk University Law School. She has volunteered with the Lawyer for the Day program at Essex Probate and Family Court and has been active in civic and political efforts.
Earlier in her career, she served as deputy campaign coordinator for the Massachusetts Democratic Party and is a member of the Marblehead Democratic Town Committee. She has also worked with the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, testifying at legislative hearings and participating in State House advocacy.
“I come from a tradition of public service,” said Slavit Baylis, the youngest daughter of former Haverhill Harbormaster William “Red” Slavit. “There is important work to be done on the Governor’s Council, and I look forward to engaging voters about their priorities and what I can offer as their councilor.”
She said pulling nomination papers marked an important milestone.
“I always wanted to do this, and my knowledge is so essential right now that it’s just something I had to do,” she said. “I’m thrilled to do it.”
