McGinn Announces Bid for Ward 2 Seat on City Council

Earlier this week, Peabody native Peter McGinn announced he will be running for a seat on the City Council -- the seat currently held by Arthur Athas.

McGinn, a Park Street resident and 1981 Peabody High grad, said he would be pulling nomination papers from the City Clerk's office and forming a campaign committee soon. He already has a Facebook page.

“I love our city and I’m excited to seek elected office. I would consider it an honor to represent the citizens of Ward 2 on the City Council,” he said in a statement.

“Through my participation with several groups and advocacy on key issues, I am familiar with the workings of the City Council. I am confident I can be effective in this role,” McGinn said.

McGinn is the Director of Global Business Operations at Avnet, a distributor of electronic components, products and technology solutions, and has been an active local volunteer in various capacities over the years.

As a resident, he has also been involved in efforts to revitalize the downtown, redevelop housing and community preservation projects. McGinn currently serves as an alternative member on the Community Preservation Committee.

He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Vermont and a master's degree from UMass Lowell. He and his wife, Jeannette, have four children.

McGinn would present the first challenge for Athas, a retired teacher and Lynnfield Street resident, since he won the seat in 2005, defeating former ward councilors Louis Cersosimo and Mary Mallia in a hard-fought primary and then Cersosimo again in the general election.

Judy Buckley did not run for re-election that year, leaving the Ward 2 seat open and opportunity for Cersosimo (who spent 25 years in the seat) to reclaim it, along with Mallia (who succeeded Cersosimo for a term before Buckley was elected in 1997).

Athas, however, prevailed and hasn't had a single opponent run against him in the past three elections.

Athas, who pulled papers on April 9, said on Thursday he wasn't aware of McGinn's candidacy yet. Will it change his campaign strategy? "Basically it's going to make me go out...and campaign like crazy," he said.

Athas said he's pretty sure his constituents know where he stands on many issues, but he will be working hard to get his message out now and ensure it's crystal clear to voters. He and his wife, Janet, have two children.