CAMBRIDGE, MASS. July 23, 2015 – Today, Cambridge resident, activist, attorney, and former Dennis Carlone legislative aide Mike Connolly declared his candidacy for Cambridge City Council. “I’ve worked as an organizer, and I’ve worked directly in City Hall,” explained Connolly. “I know how to bring people together to help make Cambridge work for all its residents. That’s why I’m excited to enter this race to continue this work as a City Councillor.”

Connolly has spent the last four years working to keep Cambridge an affordable and sustainable city. In 2013, Connolly organized a grassroots campaign in support of the “Connolly Net Zero” petition, a successful effort that led to a unanimous city council vote adopting an innovative framework for targeting a “net zero” emissions standard for the city. More recently, Connolly helped shape the city’s Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance, which makes Cambridge the largest city on the East Coast to ban plastic checkout bags. His research on housing issues has been featured in numerous publications, and he has been recognized as a leading expert in keeping Cambridge affordable for homeowners and renters. Additionally, Connolly has been an elected delegate representing Cambridge at the State Democratic Convention for the past three years.

In support of Connolly’s bid, Councilor Dennis Carlone said, “Mike is one of the most committed, smart activists in Cambridge. It’s been an honor to work with him as a legislative aide and I’m looking forward to working with him as a colleague on the council next year.”

Connolly’s campaign will be chaired by mid-Cambridge resident Phyllis Bretholtz, who retired from the Cambridge Public Schools after a 30-year teaching career at Cambridge Rindge and Latin. “Mike is a man of consummate integrity, with a keen analytical mind, a total commitment to issues of social justice, and a passionate dedication to the city and its residents,” said Bretholtz, who now serves on the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women. “I am enthusiastically supporting Mike’s campaign and look forward to seeing him serve on the city council,” she added.

An official campaign launch event will take place in late August, according to Connolly. A full campaign website will be launched in the coming weeks at www.mikeconnolly.org.

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