By Erin Tiernan — Erin@concordbridge.org
The mudslinging and fundraising in the District 3 Governor’s Council race are more reminiscent of a congressional election than a contest for a seat on a little-known board.
There’s no holding back in the rematch between longtime incumbent Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney and challenger Mara Dolan.
It’s the second time in two years the two Democrats are going toe to toe in the contest, which this year will be decided in the September 3 primary as there is no Republican contender.
‘Time for change’
Dolan, a Concordian and public defender, says it’s time lawyers like her — who disproportionately represent the state’s most disenfranchised defendants — have a voice on the Council.
“I’ve worked all across Massachusetts in our juvenile court, our district court, and our superior court, [and] I have gained a great understanding of what’s happening,” Dolan said. “We’re doing very well, but there are things we need to do better.”
If elected, Dolan would be the first public defender to serve on the body.
She pointed to racial disparities in the state court system, which she said are worse than national averages, and said the court must do better in its treatment of substance users and people with disabilities, who are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system.
A public defender of 17 years, Dolan narrowly lost her last bid to unseat Devaney. She’s hoping for a different outcome in 2024.
“It’s time for change. The choice is clear,” she said. “We need the insights and perspective only an experienced public defender can bring.”
‘Proud of that work’
Devaney has served District 3 since 1999 and says she offers her own unique perspective.
The former teacher and one-time Watertown City Council member told The Concord Bridge she treats the part-time post as her full-time job. Devaney said she meets with all nominees and sits with them to interview them.
She defended her 25-year record, saying she’s fully vetted every appointee that’s come before her and has worked to increase the transparency of the little-known Governor’s Council.
Devaney pushed back on Dolan’s claims that meetings and council information are inaccessible.
When her Governor’s Council colleagues ended pandemic-era livestreaming of their weekly meetings, Devaney was the sole councilor to call on the body to reinstate virtual public access. After garnering support from two other councilors, livestreaming was restored that same year.
“I’m very proud of that work,” Devaney said, adding that it was also she who pushed for the Council’s first-ever website to keep the public informed about its agendas and business.
Getting their hands dirty
The mudslinging in the Council contest comes from both sides.
A recent Devaney campaign mailer pleaded with voters to “judge me on my achievements and not on my opponent’s false accusations.” Dolan’s campaign shot back in a Facebook post, saying the mailer was composed of “lies.”
Dolan has suggested her opponent is unfit and has gone after Devaney’s checkered history — including bringing up a 2007 incident in which Devaney was accused of throwing a curling iron at a store clerk who had asked her to show a license in order to pay by check. (She tried to show her Council credentials instead.)
Devaney has been caught in campaign trail lies, something Dolan also brings up.
In 2022, Devaney claimed she had the backing of Rep. Jim McGovern and then-State Auditor candidate Chris Dempsey. Both denied endorsing her.
Dolan is also outraising Devaney 20 to 1 with $71,000 to the incumbent’s $3,500 this year. Fundraising ratios were similar last cycle when Devaney won the race.
What’s the Governor’s Council?
The vitriolic District 3 race has catapulted the Governor’s Council — which typically occupies an obscure corner of state government — into the spotlight.
The Council provides a check on the governor’s otherwise unchecked power to provide warrants for the state treasury; grant pardons and commutations; and appoint clerk-magistrates, public administrators, members of the Parole Board, and more.
Judicial appointments are likely to become a major focus for the Council. Gov. Maura Healey has come under fire for her slow nomination of judges, particularly on the civil side, which has made it difficult for state Trial Courts to rebound from the case backlog that piled up during the pandemic.
A Healey aide rejected those claims in a conversation with The Concord Bridge. The Democratic governor has appointed 33 judges with the Council’s help since taking office, she said.
The Council’s eight members serve two-year terms. They earn a part-time salary of $36,000 annually.
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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: ELECTION FAST FACTS
Primary Day: Tuesday, September 3
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
Precinct 1
Planning and Land Management Building, 141 Keyes Road
Precincts 2 and 3
Harvey Wheeler Community Center, 1276 Main Street
Precincts 4 and 5
Hunt Recreation Center, 90 Stow Street
Not sure where you vote?
Visit www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA
Vote by mail ballots must be received by the Town Clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on September 3.
Learn more: concordma.gov/375/Elections-Voting
