Mayor Jake Wilson's 2026 Inaugural Address

Hello, Somerville!

For over twenty years, I’ve had the privilege of saying hello to you. First as a neighbor, then a parent, a coach, an advocate, a City Councilor — and now, for the first time, as your Mayor.

My journey to this moment didn’t start in politics. It began on porches and sidewalks, in playgrounds and parks, and at school drop-off and pickup. It started with community joy, and with neighbors showing up for one another.

And that commitment to showing up — to helping, to caring, to being accountable — will lead our administration.

Starting with Thanks

I want to start this speech with some hearty thank yous. Thank you to Governor Healey for being with us tonight. Your presence is both a great honor and an inspiration. Thank you, Governor, for investing in progress, jobs, and opportunity right here in Somerville and across the Commonwealth. Frankly, the nation is fortunate to have you at the helm in this critical moment as a champion for progress, justice, and our rights. I look forward to our partnership.

Thank you as well to Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng for being here to honor us with his presence, and for driving sustainable transit forward in the Commonwealth. We’re not accustomed to reading positive headlines about the T, but that’s happening regularly now under your leadership. Is it cool if we call you “Train Daddy”?

Thank you, as well to Mayor Ballantyne. It’s been an honor to serve alongside you. We all owe you a debt of gratitude for all you’ve done for this community — first as the Ward 7 Alderman and Councilor, and then doing the incredibly demanding job of leading this city for four years.

And thank you to all my colleagues on the City Council, the School Committee, and our state and federal delegations for always keeping your shoulders to the wheel. I look forward to continuing our work together.

I want to shout out my transition team — from the steering committee running the show and doing dozens of departmental meetings with me, to the policy groups that came together to work on issues they care deeply about. And thank you to all the residents who took our community engagement survey. Your voice matters. And you’ve helped this transition process set us up for success.

Thank you to everyone performing tonight and sharing their talents to help make this inauguration a true community celebration — and to the inaugural planning committee for putting this all together. I want to thank Somerville resident Eugene Mirman for emceeing our ceremony tonight. This is you now.

Thank you to everyone who opened their doors, spoke out, and reached out to candidates this election to share your stories and hopes for our city.

Thank you to my family, who walked every step of this road with me, even when it meant some complicated calendar juggling just to protect a little family time.

And I want to thank everyone listening, no matter how you voted. If you supported me, I’m grateful. If you supported someone else, I welcome the opportunity to earn your trust. As I said during the campaign, I’ll be the mayor for everyone in Somerville.

We share the same sidewalks, the same schools, the same parks. We face the same challenges.

So, before I go any further, I want to acknowledge a hard truth about one of the most urgent challenges facing our community. Some of our friends and neighbors are not here with us tonight because of the culture of fear the federal government has instilled in our immigrant communities. People are staying home. They are changing their lives to stay safe. The cruelty is the point — and that’s a tragedy.

We refuse to accept this as normal. As your Mayor, I will not accept this as normal.

This federal regime thrives on darkness, misinformation, and resentment — but we will win with light, truth, and solidarity.

The Work Ahead

And we’ll stand up for ourselves and our neighbors while reaching for our big goals, improving city services, and navigating a hostile federal landscape.

That’s a lot, but luckily, as a former farm kid from Iowa, I love hard work.

When I was growing up, Ronald Reagan joked that the nine scariest words in the English language are: “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” Well, I ran a campaign that said the opposite — that government should help, and we have to help. I said that everywhere I could. And you all responded to that message and elected me.

So, our administration will embrace those nine words: “I’m from the government. And I’m here to help.” We’ll embrace it with hard work, clear communication, and real progress.

Starting on day one — yesterday! — the Mayor’s Office door was opened and unlocked. You deserve a mayor you can reach, a government you can understand, and a city that listens. Listening to you is one of the most powerful ways we can identify where we’re succeeding and where we’re falling short.

That’s the heart of our administration’s urban-mechanic approach: pay attention, fix what’s broken, and keep improving the system so it serves people better every day.

Delivering Quality City Services

Urban mechanics means delivering good, quality, core services. That means public spaces are clean, the streets are paved, the streetlights are on, the libraries and pools are open, and our buildings are maintained.

And that includes the building we’re in right now. Somerville High School is a gem, and we should be using it more as a true community space outside of school hours — for meetings, performances, adult education, and community gatherings. We desperately need more community spaces in our city, and this building should be part of the solution.

Because when we open our doors, we open lines of communication.

Every day, we get fresh data from you that tells us what’s working, what isn’t, where we’re succeeding, and where we’re falling short. Delivering great city services means  constant reassessment and constant optimization. As my wife will tell you, I’m never happier than when I’m problem-solving — even when it’s something as simple as the best way to load the dishwasher. There’s always a better way.

Taking on the Housing Crisis

Now, the dishwasher is relatively straightforward. Somerville has much more complex challenges, and I’m eager to take those on. For one, our state and region are facing a housing crisis, and that requires careful strategy and clear goal-setting.

We have to make Somerville a city people can afford to live in.

Every day, we’re losing families, young people, seniors — neighbors who each bring their own character to this city. That’s why I started meeting with housing partners immediately after the election. This crisis can’t wait. I’m already moving quickly on a housing plan to keep Somerville ours.

We’ll work to build more homes near transit and in growth areas, and allow a wider range of housing types. We’ll make permitting more efficient and predictable. We’ll expand affordability with our nonprofit partners, and we will strengthen tenant protections to keep more people in their homes.

Councilor Scott is fond of saying that a city where workers can’t live isn’t a community, it’s a resort. And he’s right. A place only becomes a community when the people who keep it running can actually afford to call it home.

Twenty-one years ago, my wife and I found home here in Somerville, and I want to create that same opportunity for everyone. This is why housing will be front and center for our administration.

Stewarding the Local Economy

We want the people who live here to be able to work here, too — which takes a strong local economy. That doesn’t happen on its own. It takes steady work to keep jobs here, keep businesses open, and keep our community livable. That starts with supporting both small, local businesses and the commercial development that gives them places to grow.

I’ve read the recommendations from the Small Business and Cultural Anti-Displacement Task Forces. There are real solutions in there, and we’re going to make them happen.

We also need to make sure we are valuing the artists and makers who help shape our city’s identity. So, we’ll address affordable commercial and artist space with the same urgency as affordable housing. If local businesses and creatives can’t afford to stay, we lose our heart and soul.

We’ll work on keeping commercial rents within reach. When locally owned businesses can stay and grow, they keep money and jobs in Somerville and help fund the core services and big ideas that move this city forward.

Building momentum on climate action

And economic stewardship includes climate stewardship. A strong local economy depends on a healthy, resilient future. Climate impacts are already putting pressure on our businesses and our long-term financial stability.

As our federal government denies climate change and walks away from sustainability goals, we can do our part right here. Somerville can lead the way. Our city will move forward with the can-do attitude we’re known for. If it seems too much, too costly, or too hard, we’ll break it down into manageable steps.

We’ll find the solutions, whether it’s investing in our trees and parks where we can all cool off, or getting our buildings off fossil fuels. I’m all about finding a way forward, and climate action is part of that plan. In our administration, plain and simple climate solutions will be at the core of our efforts.

Clear-eyed, honest approach

Our road ahead won’t be easy. As just one example, we’ve got a lot of empty lab space to fill amid a life science downturn. And we’re facing headwinds on a number of fronts. But we’ll use that same can-do attitude I just mentioned to think creatively about how to strengthen our momentum in the face of market challenges.

Look at 299 Broadway: for years, that site of the old Star Market was an eyesore. I want to give a big thank you to Governor Healey for supporting the transformation of this site into a mixed-use project that will deliver commercial and community space. This project will bring 319 residential units, with more than 40% of them affordable. That’s more than double our usual minimum affordable housing requirement.

This kind of determination — this follow-through on our vision — is how we will keep Somerville a community where people can put down roots.

Building Skills and Opportunities for Our Workforce

And putting down roots goes beyond housing. Our community thrives when people can not only earn a living, but can create a life. Fostering a strong union culture in our city is one way to open up more opportunities for Somervillians to build their lives here.

A friend of mine, Rod Badaro, is here tonight. Rod moved to Union Square from Brazil about thirty years ago. Initially, he was putting together a hodgepodge of painting gigs that offered no stability, no benefits, and no path forward.

Then he landed one union job. Just one.

That one job opened the door to real wages, real benefits, and a real future. That’s what opportunity looks like: a system that creates a pathway to a career — not a dead end.

It’s imperative that we create opportunities for economic mobility. And that starts at City Hall.

For far too long, our municipal workers have been stuck with expired contracts and outdated wages. As we make sure we get strong, fair contracts signed on time, we’re going to shape Somerville into an employer of choice in the region. Because when our workforce is strong, our community thrives.

Committing to Safe Streets

And nothing shows that more clearly than the work we do to keep our streets safe for everyone who uses them.

In October, my older daughter was crossing Route 16 after a Somerville High soccer game at Dilboy. In the crosswalk. With the pedestrian signal. Just like we taught her. But none of that mattered. A driver blew through a red light, running over her foot and knocking her down. We were lucky. She was shaken, but okay. The next person might not be so lucky.

Everybody is trying to get where they’re going. Our job is to design streets that get them there safely. We’ll get there by using the right tools, the right way — through continued safety infrastructure improvements, better lighting, and increased traffic enforcement, including camera-based enforcement.

Because your safety shouldn’t come down to chance. It should be a promise we keep.

A Clear Plan for Rodent Control

Now, speaking of probability, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with a Somerville rat recently. Credit where credit is due: rats are smart and resourceful. But we need to outsmart them.

We’ve put together a clear plan, focused on the root causes of our rodent problem. And we’re going to follow through with real accountability. This is a problem we can do better on, as a city and as a community. It won’t be solved overnight, and it’ll take all of us working together to address it. But with commitment and effort, we can take it on.

Now, we did just elect Minerva to be our Cat Mayor, and I’m looking forward to getting her thoughts on rodent control when we have our Somerville mayoral summit. Hashtag crime.

Infrastructure

While rodents may be something we notice in our everyday lives, our infrastructure challenges can be less obvious. We’re now facing three separate infrastructure problems that will cost billions to solve: crumbling street surfaces, an obsolete sewer system, and municipal buildings long overdue for repair.

I know — that sounds bad. But it could be worse.

Thanks to the work of my predecessors, we now have a Triple A bond rating to help better finance the tremendous cost of major infrastructure work — and a number of critical projects already are underway or completed.

Now we’re going to build on that foundation.

Our administration will deliver an updated Capital Investment Plan, ensure close coordination across departments, and make sure the community is brought along every step of the way. I promise to move urgently, efficiently, and cost-effectively to build a city ready for our shared future.

Investing in Our Schools, Our School Buildings, Our Students, and our Educators

And you don’t have to look further than our schools to understand why that urgency is needed. I’ve been part of the SPS community for a decade now, and like every parent, I’ve trusted that our school buildings will keep my kids safe.

When that trust is broken, it’s unacceptable.

In 2021, two years before that ceiling collapsed at the Winter Hill School, I called for construction of a new school. Clearly, that didn’t happen. It’s now two years since the ceiling collapsed, and I know that for many in the Winter Hill community, they’re still waiting on tangible action.

I promise to work relentlessly on getting us that new school built at 115 Sycamore. ASAP. Because Wildcats can’t wait. And to all of our school communities, I want you to hear me: while we plan, design, and build this new school, I will not forget that you all have needs and goals right now.

I will remain laser-focused on system-wide progress. Your kids — our kids — deserve no less. This extends to every single student, regardless of their family’s ability to advocate for them.

Our buildings, of course, are only as strong as the people who work inside them. As the son of educators – and my parents are here with us to night – I know the importance of staffing our schools with the best.

That means doing right by our educators, who give everything they have to our students. We will give them the support they need to deliver the excellent education, enrichment, and opportunities our students deserve.

Strengthening Our Community Safety Net

Now, I want to tell you a story. In the mid-eighties, when I was in elementary school, farms across the country were hit by the worst crisis since the Great Depression.

My family’s farm wasn’t spared. In the summer of 1986, food shifted from a given to a daily worry for our family. I will never forget what it was like to stare into an empty fridge — never. We made it through because of our local food bank and the kindness of our neighbors. That’s what goodwill can achieve. It’s what social safety nets are designed to do: stop people from hitting the ground when everything else gives way.

As the federal safety net is being pulled apart and social norms are being tested, we will reinforce Somerville’s — just look at how we mobilized the moment SNAP benefits were abruptly cut off. When the federal government makes life harder for us, cities like ours have to step up. Communities have to step up. Again, I’m calling on all of us, and at City Hall, we’ll be the first to roll up our sleeves.

Our Office of Food Access, our Office of Immigrant Affairs, our Social and Community Health Workers, our prevention specialists, and countless others are doing incredible work to keep that bottom from falling out. We’ll strengthen our food supports, increase our multilingual Know Your Rights outreach, and lift up our local and immigrant-owned businesses through stronger partnerships.

Because a city built on neighborliness can’t allow any of us to face an empty refrigerator, to choose between healthcare or housing, or to be silently pushed into the shadows. And supporting, respecting, and helping our neighbors doesn’t stop at food security, basic needs, or standing up for humane immigration policy.

That promise extends to everyone: LGBTQ+ residents, Veterans, students, seniors — every race, every religion, every age, every gender, every ability, every origin.

Everyone is welcome here, and together we are strong.

Unity is Our Strength

Somerville has long been a close-knit community. You hear the stories from those who grew up here. They’ll tell you about how neighbors looked out for one another. But now, much like our country, we find ourselves dividing — on bike lanes versus parking; on how best to address the homelessness and substance use crises locally; on the conflict in the Middle East.

Disagreement is inevitable, but we need to always remember we are friends and neighbors first. We cannot let this corrosiveness tear apart the fabric of our community.

We Somervillians know how to unite to get things done — from the Green Line to the Community Path. We know how to work together to build toward a shared future. And we always step up to help one another out, as we do every day when any of us need food, shelter, or a leg up.

Our unity is our superpower, and I intend to honor and build on that.

Public Safety for Our People and Our Public Spaces

That’s going to mean having some tough conversations as a community. For example, members of our Jewish community have told me they are fearful for their safety in public and private spaces, after horrific acts of violence here and abroad.

Members of our LGBTQ+ community have also shared concerns about their rights and safety in the face of federal attacks. These are two examples of many growing concerns here.

We have to be a city where everyone feels pride in who they are and where they come from — not targeted over their identity. I will use every tool available to protect our community and our values, and I am acutely aware of the trust and responsibility you have placed in me. I am committed to meeting that responsibility.

And that means showing up wherever people are most vulnerable, and responding with compassion and resolve. That also means helping each other through one of the hardest moments anyone can face: losing a place to call home.

In recent years, Somerville has seen encampments increase on both the east and west sides of the city. These are our neighbors, living through an incredibly difficult chapter. At the same time, we cannot allow behaviors that make public spaces unsafe or unwelcoming.

Our approach needs to center humanity, use effective harm reduction strategies, strengthen communication and coordination with frontline workers, and stay aligned with our neighboring cities and towns. This crisis demands complex work, and I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But we do know what we’re aiming for: a city where we all feel safe.

That means balancing compassion and accountability, so our public spaces remain accessible and welcoming for everyone.

Accessibility

Now “accessible” means accessible. For many people, that starts with the physical ability to move throughout their neighborhood. Growing up, I saw how the world wasn’t built for my aunt, who had multiple sclerosis and used a wheelchair. Her world didn’t deserve to shrink.

We’ve made real progress on accessibility as a city — but we still have decades of work ahead. Because, as our Commission for Persons with Disabilities reminds us, the ADA is the floor, not the ceiling.

Accessibility isn’t about checking legal boxes. It’s a moral obligation. It’s about whether people can fully live their lives in this city. Now, they say the first step to getting out of a hole is to stop digging.

That’s why everything our administration builds will be accessible. Full stop.

Collaboration

Now, I spoke earlier of the power of unity, but true unity requires inclusion. That means ensuring all voices are able to be heard. In recent years, Somerville has made significant strides in public engagement. We will build on this.

Collaboration also goes beyond public engagement. It means working with our legislative branches — our City Council and School Committee — on crafting policies they care deeply about. We must also deepen our collaboration with neighboring communities. Regional problems require regional solutions. We’ll work with our surrounding cities and towns to find impactful solutions for our area.

We are incredibly fortunate in Somerville to have tremendous representation on Beacon Hill and in Washington. I’ve been working on building those relationships with our state and federal delegations, as well as the Healey-Driscoll administration, to identify specific areas where we can work together.

From my conversations with these folks, I know we have ready and willing partners who are eager to tackle challenges and build new opportunities with us. And I’m here for that.

Closing

Somerville, we are a community that never settles for good enough.

We ask hard questions. We hold high standards. And I love that for us.

I know that not every mayor is blessed with a community like this.

The road ahead won’t be without potholes, but the good news is: we ran on fixing the roads.

This is a moment that demands focus, resolve, and follow-through.

We have real work to do together, and together we will succeed.

Let’s get started.