Former Candidate Amy Sangiolo endorses Scott Lennon for Mayor of Newton

NEWTON, MA — Former mayoral candidate Amy Mah Sangiolo, endorsed Scott Lennon as the next Mayor of Newton, City Council President Scott Lennon announced Oct. 6 just hours before a mayoral debate with Ruthanne Fuller who is running against him on the November 7 ballot.

"I have full confidence that Scott will lead this City forward, keep Newton resident’s interests first and get the job done," said Sangiolo in a statement released by the Lennon campaign.

Fuller came out ahead of Lennon in the September preliminary election, but Lennon's election team said they expected the news of Sangiolo's endorsement - she's the fifth city councilor to endorse him - to shake the race up.

Sangiolo placed third in the preliminary election with 3,503 votes. Fuller had 5,234 and Lennon: 4,690.
If Sangiolo's voters heed her enforcement and give Lennon their vote it could very well help.

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“I am so grateful for Amy’s support of my candidacy because I so deeply respect her decades of bold advocacy
for community-based planning and affordable housing, improved services and transportation for seniors, strong environmental policies, and deep commitment to our public schools,” said Lennon in a press release. “I look forward to working with Amy and all her supporters as we work together to make our city the very best it can be.”

Lennon and Sangiolo have worked together on the Newton City Council and both pride themselves as strong advocates for city services and transparency in government. The two city leaders said they bonded over their shared vision for the city and having both raised children through the Newton Public Schools system, according to the release.

“I have worked closely with Scott for all of his 16 years on the Council and admire his diplomacy, honesty, and firm grasp of the issues facing our city, and our mutual commitment to transparency in all government activities,” said Sangiolo.

Sangiolo cited Lennon’s decades of professional financial and management expertise as well as his “congenial yet strong leadership as President of the City Council” as additional reasons for endorsing the lifelong Newtonian.

Lennon and Sangiolo were rivals during the preliminary, and have differed on issues such as changes to the city charter and development. Lennon said those differences makes Sangiolo “an invaluable partner because we trust each other to be honest about our positions and then get to work on the issues.”

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