Keefe Tech School Committee Member Running For Framingham Council Seat In District 2

FRAMINGHAM, MA — With District 2 City Councilor Cesar Stewart-Morales not seeking reelection in the upcoming cycle, Framingham will have at least one new councilor in 2024.

So who might run to replace him on the council?

On Friday, Brandon Ward, a Framingham resident and fixture on a number of local boards and committees, announced his candidacy.

Ward serves as a school committee member for the South Middlesex Regional Vocational Technical School (Keefe Tech), on the boards of Downtown Framingham, Inc. and Friends of Saxonville, where he is the board president, and as a mentor through Framingham High School's Mazie Mentoring Program.

His professional career has included stints in government, nonprofits and higher education, he said.

Most recently, Ward worked at the Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership, where he facilitated leadership trainings for graduate students committed to public service and social justice.

He has worked at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy as a faculty assistant to former Canadian politician Michael Ignatieff; at the international development nonprofit BRAC USA as the special assistant to the CEO; and in the U.S. Senate as a congressional aide to Senator Joe Lieberman.

He issued a statement to Patch about his reasons for running on Friday. It is included in full below:

“I am excited to announce my candidacy to represent District 2 on the Framingham City Council. As a Framingham resident, I’ve worked to make our community a more equitable, vibrant, and enjoyable place to live. I’m asking for your vote to continue this work on the City Council, and to fight for so much more.

I will advocate for a Framingham that is welcoming and inclusive. That provides everyone with equal access to opportunity. That embraces you regardless of where you’re coming from, what language you speak at home, or religion you practice. A Framingham that is affordable, for newcomers, longtimers, and everyone in between. And a city government that is transparent and easy to work with, whether you’re hoping to start a new business or simply access municipal services.

I believe deeply in the power of government, and more importantly, the power of caring and committed people inside of government to make a difference in the lives of others. And I believe that I’m the right person for this role at this moment. If elected to represent District 2, I pledge to fight every day to make a positive difference in our city and community. I promise to lead with authenticity, courage, and compassion. I promise to be a new voice with fresh ideas and a thoughtful perspective. And I promise to help others be positive change-agents within our city for the issues and causes they care about.”

Related: Framingham Councilor Cesar Stewart-Morales Won't Seek 3rd Term