City Councillor Brian Worrell said Monday that he’s pressing forward with his candidacy for the council presidency next month, despite the fact that one of his colleagues has already declared victory in the contest.
On Nov. 10, Councillor Gabriela Coletta Zapata of East Boston announced that she had “secured enough support” among colleagues on the 13-member body to succeed current president, at-Large Councillor Ruthzee Louijeune, who cannot stay-on as president due to term limits.
The next president needs at least seven votes to secure the gavel. The vote will take place on the day that the councillors and Mayor Wu are sworn into office on Monday, Jan. 5.
“I am definitely in the race and the vote is not until Jan. 5,” said Worrell, who represents parts of Dorchester and Mattapan in District 4. “I am under the impression whether in real estate or getting something across the finish line in City Hall, it’s never done until it’s passed, sealed, or closed; you can’t count anything too early.”
Coletta Zapata said Monday that her “coalition is strong” and she is confident she has the votes in place to be the next council president.
“This is the process and democracy in action,” she said in an interview. “I’m very proud that a majority of my colleagues support me and trust me to lead. That’s based on years of demonstrated partnerships and collaboration with them and building trust. I’m intent to earn that trust from all my colleagues…not just those [who] support me for council president.”
Three sitting councillors and one councillor-elect told The Reporter directly that they are supporting Worrell. They include Councillors Ed Flynn, Erin Murphy and District 7 Councillor-elect Miniard Culpepper, with Councillor Julia Mejia, who said she’s pledged to support Worrell if he gets at least six votes.
Mejia said she herself is also a candidate for president, but just to make a point about having a more transparent process to select a president.
She and Worrell have a pact, Mejia said.
“It can’t be seven people deciding a new leader and alienating the other five because it doesn’t set us up for a positive next term,” she said. “My campaign is for the exercise…We talked about who might get six and that a push can help us get there. If I get six commitments, he will support me, and if he gets six, I’ll support him. I’m just not happy with the way things manifested.”
Mejia added that the “election hadn’t even been certified yet when the announcement [by Coletta Zapata] came out.”
“I have said all along that I support Councillor Brian Worrell; I support him for Council President,” said Councillor-elect Culpepper, who will fill a current vacancy in District 7.
Councillor Flynn said: “As the current vice president and chair of an important city council committee, it is only fair to enthusiastically support Brian Worrell for council president. Brian earned the opportunity to lead the city council during this challenging time in our city.”
Councillor Murphy said she continues to support Worrell based on his leadership the last two terms.
“Brian has earned the respect and support of many by listening, building relationships, and focusing on the institution, not politics,” she said. “Over the past two years, he has also demonstrated strong leadership as Chair of Ways and Means, handling complex budget matters thoughtfully and responsibly. I believe those qualities are exactly what the Council needs right now.”
Councillor John FitzGerald said he isn’t yet committed and is still surveying the field.
“My line is the vote is not until Jan. 5,” he said. “Historically things can happen last minute, and you have to survey the whole field and be open to listening to all the candidates.”
Councillor Enrique Pepén had no comment but indicated through a spokesperson that he has not made a commitment to any candidate.
Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and District 9 Councillor Liz Breadon did not immediately return inquiries about their intentions.
In making her announcement last month, Coletta Zapata said that at-Large Councillor Henry Santana would serve as the body’s vice-president.
“I’m deeply honored to serve as Vice President alongside Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata,” Santana said in the Nov. 10 press release distributed by a spokesperson for Coletta Zapata’s campaign. “Gabriela and I first met when we were both staffers on the City Council, and from day one I’ve watched her grow, lead, and deliver for our City.”
Also thought to be solidly behind Coletta Zapata is Sharon Durkan, who represents District 8, and Ben Weber, who represents District 6.
Worrell said Monday that he’s confident he can secure the additional votes needed to win.
“As I said previously it would be an honor to serve the city council as president and if one of my colleagues were to nominate me as council president I would love the opportunity to serve my city in that capacity and continue the work I’ve done on the Ways and Means Committee in working with my colleagues to deliver a budget for the people and policies we can all coalesce on,” he said.
