Newton Gun Violence Prevention Endorses 14 Candidates For Office

NEWTON, MA — Newton Gun Violence Prevention Collaborative (NGVPC) has endorsed 14 City Council and School Committee candidates in contested races for City Council and School Committee.

Previously known as Stop Gun Stores in Newton, NGVPC is a local group dedicated to limiting the proliferation of guns. Since the city passed Zoning Ordinance 145-21 earlier this year to limit firearms dealers, the group has shifted their focus to supporting legislation and candidates dedicated to preventing gun violence.

"We asked the candidates in contested races for City Council and School Committee in Newton about their plans to help make Newton a leading city in Gun Violence Prevention," said Newton Gun Violence Prevention Collaborative in a news release. "We want to thank every candidate who answered our survey - we know your schedules are very busy and we really appreciate your time."

The group's endorsements were chosen based on survey responses, support of 145-21, approach to legally defensible legislation, and view of effective gun control as including equal access to education, affordable housing, mental health services, and social support systems. Candidates' past records and public statements were also considered.

Here is a list of candidates endorsed by NGVPC:

Mayor

• Ruthanne Fuller

Councilors at Large

• Ward 1 - Alison Leary
• Ward 3 - Andrea Kelley and Meryl Kessler
• Ward 5 - Deb Crossley and Andreae Downs
• Ward 6 - Alicia Bowman and Victoria Danberg

Ward Councilors

• Ward 1 - Maria Scibelli Greenberg
• Ward 3 - Jim Cote
• Ward 5 - Bill Humphrey
• Ward 6 - Brenda Noel

School Committee

• Ward 6 - Shawn Fitzgibbons*
• Ward 7 - Kathy Shields

*Shawn Fitzgibbons was instrumental in the foundation of Stop Gun Stores in Newton and has close ties to the leaders of NGVPC. However, the group says he was held to the same standards as all other candidates, whose survey answers are available here.