August 2025 – Candidates forums and notes from the campaign trail

Hello, happy early fall! I’m sending this out with 25 days until the preliminary — things are heating up!

I’d like to start by thanking people from across Ward 5 for welcoming me and our campaign into hundreds of lovely, insightful conversations about the state of our city, our services, our civic life and our democracy at every scale. Fears of MAGA fascism have not stopped Northampton residents from opening our doors, getting out into the streets and voicing our opposition. It’s been an honor to take part in these acts of resistance no matter the size or scale, and I’d like to especially note my appreciation for strangers and core supporters alike who have invited me into their homes and lives to take part in laying out our shared path forward.

I’ve kept very busy this summer taking this progressive working-class vision to all corners of our ward and city. I’ll lay out some thoughts and observations in a separate post, but for now, I’d like to get the word out about a few key events in the coming days and weeks.

First, the League of Women Voters is putting on two forums for all preliminary city council and mayoral elections — details below. You can catch me at the first one on Monday! (Please note that tickets are fully reserved for the Bombyx event, but you can stream it live at Northampton Open Media!)

Second, the Northampton High School Student Union will be holding a somewhat smaller forum with mayoral, at-large city council and contested school committee candidates on September 29th. While I won’t be speaking there, the student perspective on this election is essential and should be front and center in discourse around our public schools.

I’ll be back with more updates and thoughts in a few days. Hope to see you soon, whether at Bombyx, at your doorstep or out and about in town!

-Luke