headshot of candidate

Marc McGovern

He/Him

Currently
City Councillor
Election history
4th term in (council) office

More about Marc McGovern

Born and raised in Cambridge, Marc McGovern has previously served as mayor and was elected to the school committee 4 times.

He was first elected to that office in 2003, and re-elected in 2007, 2009, and 2011. 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.

Incumbent
Yes
Education
UMass - Boston; Masters of Social Work from Simons
Age
54 years, 9 months
Born in Cambridge in 1968
Voter Registration
Sept. 30, 1994

Where does Marc live?

Address
Owns (unit in a multi-family building, owned by a McGovern family trust) at 17 Pleasant Street

What are their housing positions?

Proposal Supported?
2072 Mass Ave
AHO #2
AHO #1

Q&A

Interviews with the candidate

ABC Candidate 2021 Survey

Housing policy questions

ABC Candidate 2021 Survey

Housing policy questions

Cambridge Bike Safety Pledge 2021

They asked candidates to sign a pledge, which starts: "I support rapid implementation of the citywide network of protected bicycle lanes..."

Cambridge Bike Safety Pledge 2021

They asked candidates to sign a pledge, which starts: "I support rapid implementation of the citywide network of protected bicycle lanes..."

Vision Zero Coalition 2021

Reduction in traffic injuries and deaths

Vision Zero Coalition 2021

Reduction in traffic injuries and deaths

Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition 2021

Distribution of funds, non-profits and their position in Cambridge

Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition 2021

Distribution of funds, non-profits and their position in Cambridge

Quotes

I am the only city councillor who has filed major policy initiatives with every other member of the city council. I work with everybody.

Marc McGovern, Multiple, including our 2017 "Differences" Interview

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?

Marc McGovern, ABC Candidate Questionnaire

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.

Press

Articles about the candidate

The Harvard Crimson Seeking a Fifth Term, Marc McGovern Focuses on His Housing Victories

"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
The Harvard Crimson Seeking a Fifth Term, Marc McGovern Focuses on His Housing Victories

"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
Wicked Local Cambridge ELECTION 2021: Cambridge City Council candidate statements

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 Content
Wicked Local Cambridge ELECTION 2021: Cambridge City Council candidate statements

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 Content
The Harvard Crimson Incumbent City Council Candidates Focus on Housing Crisis, Voter Engagement in Reelection Campaigns

"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
The Harvard Crimson Incumbent City Council Candidates Focus on Housing Crisis, Voter Engagement in Reelection Campaigns

"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
Wicked Local Cambridge Cambridge councilors write in support of 2072 Mass. Ave. affordable housing project

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 McGovern
Wicked Local Cambridge Cambridge councilors write in support of 2072 Mass. Ave. affordable housing project

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 McGovern
Commonwealth Magazine Support black-owned cannabis shop in Harvard Square

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 McGovern
Commonwealth Magazine Support black-owned cannabis shop in Harvard Square

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 McGovern
The Harvard Crimson Cambridge City Council Candidates Debate Climate Change Approach at Forum

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. Kurilla
The Harvard Crimson Cambridge City Council Candidates Debate Climate Change Approach at Forum

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. Kurilla
The Harvard Crimson McGovern and Simmons Most Favored On Cambridge City Council Per Resident Survey

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. Knieriem
The Harvard Crimson McGovern and Simmons Most Favored On Cambridge City Council Per Resident Survey

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. Knieriem
The Boston Globe Cambridge passes ‘first-of-its-kind’ law to add protected bike lanes when reconstructing roads

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 Annear
The Boston Globe Cambridge passes ‘first-of-its-kind’ law to add protected bike lanes when reconstructing roads

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 Annear
Wicked Local Cambridge Councilors look to address aggressive turkeys in Cambridge

Vice Mayor Marc McGovern also voiced his support for bunnies.

“For the record, I like bunnies,” McGovern said.

Sept. 19, 2017 — Adam Sennott
Wicked Local Cambridge Councilors look to address aggressive turkeys in Cambridge

Vice Mayor Marc McGovern also voiced his support for bunnies.

“For the record, I like bunnies,” McGovern said.

Sept. 19, 2017 — Adam Sennott
Spare Change News Addressing Homelessness with a New Lens

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 McGovern
Spare Change News Addressing Homelessness with a New Lens

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 McGovern

Campaign finance

How much the candidate has raised and spent

$22,212
Current balance
$10,943
Balance at the start of 2021
$38,792
Raised in 2021
$27,523
Spent in 2021