A campaign is a story, a thoughtfully crafted preface to governing. The stories Jillian Duclos tells, both about herself and her vision for Northampton, energize and inspire me. Jillian is a western Massachusetts native, a working mom whose struggles throughout her upbringing inspired a lifelong commitment to helping others. She brings years of experience as a small business leader and community advocate — supporting local entrepreneurs and business owners, expanding opportunities for formerly incarcerated people, and working on the trail with Alex Morse and Elizabeth Warren. As a candidate, Jillian’s story is about listening and collaborating to build a Northampton where everyone can thrive.
Recently, I read a piece in The New Yorker about progressive mayoral candidates whose approaches, the author argues, could revitalize the Democratic Party. Featured were Boston’s Wu, Seattle’s Wilson, and NYC’s Mamdani, candidates who’ve challenged the establishment. I was struck by their shared focus on essential services: Wu on safety and infrastructure, Mamdani on fair and efficient transit, and Wilson on affordable housing and equitable taxation. The article posits that focusing on making everyday life easier for people is a win-win. Equally important is a grounded, collaborative, authentic approach that centers community, safeguarding cities against national threats.
Northampton needs leadership like this, and Jillian Duclos checks all the boxes. She wants Northampton residents to see their tax dollars at work. She wants to fix our roads, fully fund our schools, and ensure emergency services and winter plowing are covered. She intends to prioritize people over projects, inviting us to the table as participants in decision-making. To Jillian, the role of municipal government is to remove barriers so people can live the lives they want. She’s got grit. She’s relentlessly optimistic. She’s real.
One thing we can do right now is take care of our own. We can address the problems we face right here, right now. These things are our antidote to national poison. What better shield could we have against such threats than a healthy, thriving community?
Together, we can write a new story for Northampton. It starts with a vote for Jillian Duclos for mayor.
Haley Pearl
Florence