I first met Matt O’Malley when he was running for Boston City Council citywide in 2003 and thought that he stood out as an exceptional candidate then. Later, when I heard that he was running Sherriff Andrea Cabral’s campaign in 2004, I became a volunteer for her campaign. This was my first introduction to local politics and this was the first of many campaigns on which our paths crossed. While we were not always on the same side on each campaign, we aligned probably 75% of the time, and when we did not, it was mostly an issue of loyalty or friendship, rather than a fundamental difference of philosophy that separated us.
Matt O’Malley has not only worked on the campaigns of numerous candidates, but his work for the Suffolk County Sherriff’s Department and MassEquality have given him an exposure to people and issues where the need for a strong advocate is vital. He is held in respect by many people citywide, and has been asked to provide political commentary on local TV as well as moderate debates in Dorchester. He is well rounded, not only in the city, but on the issues.
I know that Matt has always respected and admired Councilor John Tobin and has, in the past, chosen to run citywide rather than challenge his friend. But his love and respect for the people of Roslindale as well as West Roxbury specifically, and the people of Boston in general, would make him an excellent advocate for the city and the neighborhoods.
I have been egging on Matt to run again in 2007 and 2009, and I sincerely hope that he will take this opportunity to run.
For disclosure purposes, I worked with Matt on Sherriff Cabral’s 2004 campaign, Stacy Monihan’s 2005 campaign, Matt O’Malley’s own 2005 campaign and have crossed paths with him at other fundraisers, debates, caucuses, birthday parties and whatnot that are too many to count.
Mike-
You have no idea how much your friendship and support means to me. Thank you.
I’m in the race and look forward to building a strong, vibrant, grassroots campaign in Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and slivers of Mission Hill and Roslindale.
And please get in touch offline!
Wouldn’t be a Boston election without Matt O’Malley, Roy Owens, Althea Garrison, or Steve Murphy on the ballot.
Setting aside Tobin’s comedy-club-king persona, we should consider that JP and WR got very used to his activist approach. John has long been the council’s leading legislator in terms of pieces of major legislation and tackling big issues. He also had very public and accessible constituent sit-downs as well as doing the expected bang-up job on services to both neighborhoods.
Having watched both the at-large and the district councilors, I have been pleased with the legacy John has built and wish him all the best in the future. Should he decide to return and run for another office at some point, either at a county or state level, I would definitely consider supporting him.
Multiple Matt O’Malley makes a move on another seat.