Framingham Councilor Margareth Shepard Not Running In 2021

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham Councilor Margareth Shepard said Tuesday she will not seek a third term in 2021, leaving room for a new face to take over her downtown district.

Shepard first won her District 7 seat in 2017, the year Framingham fielded its first City Council, and become the first Brazilian woman elected to a Council seat in the U.S. She defeated challenger William Lynch by about 100 votes in 2019 to win her second term.

In bowing out of the 2021 race, Shepard said she no longer has enough time to devote to the position along with her business, Golden Cleaners, and her family.

"The City Councilor position requires dedication and time, although my dedication is unquestionable, my time is not sufficient," she said in a statement. "Due to the pandemic, I have needed to work harder on my business and I have realized that I also need to be able to spend more time with my family. However, my work as a private citizen will continue stronger than ever."

Shepard, 63, has been a strong advocate for immigrants during her time on Council. She served on the board of BRACE (Brazilian-American Center), MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women and chaired of the Boston Brazilian-American Citizen Consul.

Shepard is the first incumbent Councilor to announce plans for 2021. All but the two Council at-large seats are up for election in 2021.

Candidates who want to run for Council, mayor or School Committee in 2021 will be able to pick up nomination papers beginning June 1. Those papers are due back July 15.

Former Councilor and Board of Selectmen member Charlie Sisitsky has announced he'll challenge Mayor Yvonne Spicer in 2021 — although the incumbent mayor hasn't yet confirmed her 2021 plans.

Here's the full statement Shepard sent to supporters on Tuesday afternoon:

"Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving you as Framingham City Councilor. During the past 40 months I have strived to be true to my campaign platform, to listen to the residents and to always vote with the sole purpose of improving our local government.

"As an elected official, I had the opportunity to know more about our residents and the issues they face with our administration. I am happy that I could contribute to make our government more inclusive, not only by being the first Brazilian woman to be elected as a City Council in the United States, but for always standing and advocating for all of our residents.

"Like everyone else, I never expected to be in public office during a pandemic. Nonetheless, I am glad I have been an active part of finding solutions, creating processes, fighting for free COVID-19 test sites and for local clinics to provide access to the vaccine for our diverse population. I have helped create food assistance for families facing the worst struggles after not receiving any financial support from the state and federal government and fought for more support for our small business owners.

"Crises are hard, but they push us to be better, to reinvent ourselves and create new ways of living. For example, because of the pandemic our restaurants received temporary licenses to operate outdoor services. I hope those licenses become a permanent feature giving the residents the possibility of enjoying the outdoor setting, while allowing restaurant owners to increase occupancy capacity.

"For District 7, my hopes are that part of the 28 Million from Biden America Rescue Plan Act- ARPA funds are used to improve our outdoors facilities, along with the safety of our streets by increasing crosswalk warning signs, police oversight, parking enforcement and renovation of secondary streets sidewalks. Providing access to safe open spaces will improve the lives of all families as we get through this pandemic.

"Before I ran in 2017, being elected was only a dream for Brazilian American immigrants. I promised them that I would be the first but not the last person in public office. Today, in Massachusetts, we have elected two more Brazilian Americans City Councilors, two School Committee members and our first State Representative. They are making a great contribution to our state and local communities. The movement I helped create, Brazilians for Political Education, is reaching its goals every single day by contributing to a consistent increase of voter registration in Framingham and other cities and states around the country while inspiring many to become volunteers in boards and commissions. I am proud of the work we have done so far.

"I am especially grateful for those who worked voluntarily with me during my two election campaigns. I will be forever thankful for all the work they have done including knocking on doors, making phone calls, sending emails, editing campaign literature, making donations, to name a few things. Each one of you made my dream become a reality. I will never forget you.

"Framingham's transition from town to city government is ending now. As its first government we are consolidating this process. It has been quite a journey, nothing has been left unturned and our city is emerging strong and beautiful with all its imperfections, a work of art in constant progress.

"My second term as District 7 City Councilor will soon end, and I will not seek re-election. The City Councilor position requires dedication and time, although my dedication is unquestionably my time is not sufficient. Due to the pandemic, I have needed to work harder on my business and I have realized that I also need to be able to spend more time with my family. However, my work as a private citizen will continue stronger than ever."