The following is a list of the questions that we are asking city council candidates.

• Contact information questions

  • Anne Mahoney

  • 📱: 617-719-7378

  • 📧: amahoney0721@gmail.com

  • 🌐: www.votemahoney.com

• What is your political party?

  • Democratic

• What race are you running for?

  • Councilor At Large

• Why are you running for office?

  •  I'm running because Quincy needs independent voices on the City Council—leaders who aren't afraid to ask tough questions or challenge the status quo. Right now, 99.4% of council votes have gone along with the administration, often without real scrutiny. That’s not accountability; that’s rubber-stamping. Our council is supposed to be a check and balance—not a formality. I’m running At-Large so I can represent all residents and ensure your voices are heard, not ignored.

• Do you or does anyone in your family work for the City of Quincy in any capacity? (Please consider first cousins and closer relationships only.) (yes / no)

  • Yes

• Do you or does anyone in your family own or work at a company that does business with the City of Quincy? (yes / no)

  • No

• Having personal ties to the city does not disqualify a candidate for office by any means. But voters may be concerned that if you answered yes to either of the previous two questions, you may not be willing to speak out on their behalf if doing so might jeopardize your or your family members' relationships with the city. What would you say to those voters?

  • Yes, I have second cousins who work for the city—on the fire department and in the planning department—but that won’t influence how I serve. My responsibility is to the people of Quincy, not to protect anyone’s job or avoid difficult decisions. In fact, it’s because I care about this city and everyone in it that I believe in transparency and accountability. I won’t hesitate to ask tough questions or stand up for what’s right—even if it’s uncomfortable. That’s what real public service looks like.

• If elected, would you go out into the community to hold town-hall-type meetings at least once every quarter? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, will you create an online newsletter or blog to keep your constituents informed?

  • Yes

• If elected, will you take advantage of the city's translation services for your newsletter and town halls?

  • Yes

• If elected, will you sponsor or co-sponsor an ordinance to create a regular opportunity for public comment before council meetings? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, would you work to repeal the mayor's 79% raise? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, would you work to repeal the council's 50% raise? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, would you work to repeal the annual raises for the mayor and councilors that the council voted through -- without public comment -- this spring? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, would you work to establish a fair system for councilor and mayoral raises going forward, seeking input from residents and using data from similar government types in Massachusetts? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, would you take classes from the Massachusetts Municipal Association on good governance and open meeting/public records laws? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• Are you active in any community groups? If so, which ones and why?

  • Yes, I actively follow and engage with several community groups, including A Just Quincy, Citizens for a Fair R.A.I.S.E., and Quincy Votes. I believe these groups play an essential role in keeping our community informed and involved. I’d like to see even more collaboration between groups—from QCAN to our schools—so we can build shared goals and increase civic participation. When more people are engaged, we make better, more accountable decisions for our city.

• If you'd like to add any comments about any of your answers, please do so here.

  • I want to remind voters that we have contested races in every ward except Ward 2—from School Committee to Ward Council to Councillor At-Large. This election is a real opportunity to choose leaders who truly listen to your concerns and make thoughtful decisions based on what our community can realistically handle. We need representatives who are willing to stand up—not just go along to get along. Bring a friend, get out and vote—because our leaders should represent us, not the developers.