Marc McGovern
He/Him
- Currently
- City Councillor
- Election history
- 4th term in (council) office
He/Him
Marc McGovern was born in Cambridge and has spent much of the last two decades in elected offices, first on the School Committee where he served four terms and then on the City Council where he served four terms including one as Mayor. He is also active in the Cambridge Democratic City Committee.
Outside of politics, he is a trained social worker, and when first elected he continued to work part-time as a Clinical Support Social Worker for Farr Academy, a Cambridge school for students grades 7-12 with a range of emotional and learning problems.
| Organization | Cambridge? | Union? | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Better Cambridge | on Sept. 15, 2023 | ||
| Cambridge Bicycle Safety | on Sept. 23, 2023 | ||
| Massachusetts Sierra Club | this cycle | ||
| Greater Boston Labor Council | this cycle |
Housing policy questions
Housing policy questions
They asked candidates to sign a pledge, which starts: "I support rapid implementation of the citywide network of protected bicycle lanes..."
They asked candidates to sign a pledge, which starts: "I support rapid implementation of the citywide network of protected bicycle lanes..."
Housing policy, development, governance questions
Housing policy, development, governance questions
Distribution of funds, non-profits and their position in Cambridge
Distribution of funds, non-profits and their position in Cambridge
"questions about the issues that most impact Cambridge’s low-income populations" (available in several languages)
"questions about the issues that most impact Cambridge’s low-income populations" (available in several languages)
I am the only city councillor who has filed major policy initiatives with every other member of the city council. I work with everybody.
In the midst of a housing crisis, how could I ever vote for shadows and height over the housing needs of the people of this city?
I live across the street from the needle exchange program in Cambridge. They came in in 1994; my family's been there a lot longer than that. We welcomed them. ...
In my dream of my 7-year-old twins getting off the school bus to come home from school, did it include walking past active heroine users waiting for clean needles? No, that's not how I envisioned my kids' childhood. But you know what? It's a value we believe in.
My name is Marc McGovern, and I’m running for reelection to Cambridge City Council because – despite the craziness that surrounds politics these days – I still believe in the government’s ability to make tangible differences in people’s lives.
Oct. 25, 2023 — Marc McGovernMy name is Marc McGovern, and I’m running for reelection to Cambridge City Council because – despite the craziness that surrounds politics these days – I still believe in the government’s ability to make tangible differences in people’s lives.
“It’s really funny, you hear people say, well, we don’t want taller buildings because we don’t want to be Manhattan,” McGovern said. “You know how we’re like Manhattan? We’re second to them in rents.”
“They’re talking about aesthetics. I’m talking about the people, and that’s the difference,” he added.
Sept. 22, 2023 — Jina H. Choe“It’s really funny, you hear people say, well, we don’t want taller buildings because we don’t want to be Manhattan,” McGovern said. “You know how we’re like Manhattan? We’re second to them in rents.”
“They’re talking about aesthetics. I’m talking about the people, and that’s the difference,” he added.
“Not everybody who lives in the city is all about cars anymore,” McGovern said. “We have to figure out ways to accommodate different needs, different wants, different desires in a city that is really tight on space.”
Oct. 25, 2022 — Elias J. Schisgall“Not everybody who lives in the city is all about cars anymore,” McGovern said. “We have to figure out ways to accommodate different needs, different wants, different desires in a city that is really tight on space.”
"I am not the sexiest candidate," Councilor Marc C. McGovern said in describing his campaign for a fifth term.
"But I am probably the most effective candidate," he added. "I get stuff done."
Oct. 25, 2021 — Caroline E. Curran, Miles J. Herszenhorn"I am not the sexiest candidate," Councilor Marc C. McGovern said in describing his campaign for a fifth term.
"But I am probably the most effective candidate," he added. "I get stuff done."
"Our [covid-19] positivity rates were consistently the lowest of any city in the state. We had some of the highest testing numbers as well," he said. "We addressed the immediate needs of our unhoused population by serving thousands of meals, providing public showers and restrooms, opening congregate and non-congregate shelter space."
Oct. 21, 2021 — Sarah Girma, Jennifer L. Powley"Our [covid-19] positivity rates were consistently the lowest of any city in the state. We had some of the highest testing numbers as well," he said. "We addressed the immediate needs of our unhoused population by serving thousands of meals, providing public showers and restrooms, opening congregate and non-congregate shelter space."
From taking the lead on the Affordable Housing Overlay that in one year has close to 400, 100% affordable homes in the pipeline, to working with Mayor Siddiqui, Vice-Mayor Mallon and many of our nonprofits to bring a Universal asic Income program to Cambridge, to bringing free breakfast to every Cambridge Public School student regardless of income, I take concrete actions that lead to tangible results.
Oct. 21, 2021 — Community ContentFrom taking the lead on the Affordable Housing Overlay that in one year has close to 400, 100% affordable homes in the pipeline, to working with Mayor Siddiqui, Vice-Mayor Mallon and many of our nonprofits to bring a Universal asic Income program to Cambridge, to bringing free breakfast to every Cambridge Public School student regardless of income, I take concrete actions that lead to tangible results.
In short, this building is everything we’ve stated we want as a city: affordable, family-sized homes that are transit oriented, on a major retail corridor, beautifully designed, and environmentally sustainable. This is a project that meets all the city’s major goals, and it should be applauded.
May 17, 2021 — Sumbul Siddiqui, Alanna Mallon, Denise Summons, Marc McGovernIn short, this building is everything we’ve stated we want as a city: affordable, family-sized homes that are transit oriented, on a major retail corridor, beautifully designed, and environmentally sustainable. This is a project that meets all the city’s major goals, and it should be applauded.
We must act to undo decades of damage caused by the War on Drugs and play a proactive role in supporting minority-owned businesses in Cambridge by taking steps to fuel their success and swell their ranks. As Cambridge officials, we urge you to join us in supporting the project by speaking during public comment periods in upcoming hearings and/or emailing the Planning Board.
Feb. 27, 2021 — Sumbul Siddiqui, Alanna Mallon, Quinton Zondervan, Marc McGovernWe must act to undo decades of damage caused by the War on Drugs and play a proactive role in supporting minority-owned businesses in Cambridge by taking steps to fuel their success and swell their ranks. As Cambridge officials, we urge you to join us in supporting the project by speaking during public comment periods in upcoming hearings and/or emailing the Planning Board.
Several questions Wednesday evening focused on the role of real estate development in dealing with climate change. Mayor Marc C. McGovern said that when dealing with developers, he wants to make them "scream, but not run away."
Sept. 26, 2019 — Declan J. Knieriem, Michelle G. KurillaSeveral questions Wednesday evening focused on the role of real estate development in dealing with climate change. Mayor Marc C. McGovern said that when dealing with developers, he wants to make them "scream, but not run away."
In a poll of registered voters in Cambridge released Monday, Mayor Marc C. McGovern and City Councilor E. Denise Simmons garnered the highest approval rating among their peers, polling at 42.5 percent and 40.7 percent, respectively.
Sept. 11, 2019 — Declan J. KnieriemIn a poll of registered voters in Cambridge released Monday, Mayor Marc C. McGovern and City Councilor E. Denise Simmons garnered the highest approval rating among their peers, polling at 42.5 percent and 40.7 percent, respectively.
The ordinance was a collaborative effort between City Manager Louis A. DePasquale’s office, Mayor Marc McGovern’s office, and members of Cambridge Bicycle Safety.
April 9, 2019 — Steve AnnearThe ordinance was a collaborative effort between City Manager Louis A. DePasquale’s office, Mayor Marc McGovern’s office, and members of Cambridge Bicycle Safety.
Vice Mayor Marc McGovern also voiced his support for bunnies.
“For the record, I like bunnies,” McGovern said.
Sept. 19, 2017 — Adam SennottVice Mayor Marc McGovern also voiced his support for bunnies.
“For the record, I like bunnies,” McGovern said.
My hope and the hope of many is that through these and other initiatives, we can better provide for the homeless in our community. We need to be focused on both short- and long-term goals to ensure that every member of our community has a safe place to call home.
Oct. 21, 2016 — Marc McGovernMy hope and the hope of many is that through these and other initiatives, we can better provide for the homeless in our community. We need to be focused on both short- and long-term goals to ensure that every member of our community has a safe place to call home.