Justin Klekota Joins Race For Somerville City Council

SOMERVILLE, MA — Justin Klekota has entered the race for city councilor at-large in Somerville in the Nov. 2 election. Klekota is a Democratic state committeeman, vaccine researcher and co-author of the Green New Deal for Massachusetts.

He has been part of the community for 20 years as a renter, homeowner, progressive activist and elected member of the Democratic Party as Ward 7 chair. He also serves as the Democratic state committeeman, representing Somerville and its neighboring communities.

"Justin has worked hard for years in this city to elect a wide variety of people to office. He is indefatigable when he sets his mind to something," Diane Masters, former Somerville Democratic chair, said in a statement. "Justin recognizes diversity in our government and our schools is vital to making our community just, safe, and prosperous. We can count on Justin to support progressive reforms."

In addition to community organizing, Klekota has experience in the biotechnology industry as a vaccine researcher and attended Harvard University for his doctoral studies.

"Somerville is facing unprecedented challenges in the pandemic that threaten our public health and economy, compounded by the long-term challenges of the climate crisis," Klekota said in a release. "We need to vaccinate our community, reopen safely, and build a healthier, greener economy of the future."

Working with elected officials in Somerville Ward 7, Justin co-authored the "Green New Deal for Massachusetts Now," which was endorsed by the Massachusetts Democratic Party along with historic climate legislation passed by the state legislature this year to bring the Commonwealth to carbon-neutral by 2050.

"It’s exciting to see local Democrats from Ward 7 in Somerville elevating important climate crisis mitigation legislation," said Rep. Joan Meschino. "Through comprehensive, people-centered planning, the 2050 Roadmap provides a legislative framework to advance the Commonwealth’s climate goals, which will build on the existing green economy, improve public health outcomes, and empower vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth."

Klekota said he hopes to expand the effort to combat the pandemic, while creating more outdoor spaces for commerce and the arts to keep the community healthy. He also wants to promote mixed-use development and attract businesses to Somerville in green technology and life sciences.

To learn more, visit electjustin.org.