Opinion: Progressive Coalition of Amherst Endorses Inspiring Candidates for Town Council and School Committee  

by Pat Ononibaku, Deb Neubaurer, Amilcar Shabazz and Brianna Owen

The Progressive Coalition of Amherst (PCA) Board has announced their endorsement of a slate of visionary, bold candidates running for Town Council and School Committee in the upcoming election. We are pleased that the following eight candidates have accepted our endorsement- Charlotte Allegra Rice Clark and Ellisha May Walker (incumbent) for At-Large Councilor, Jillian Brevik and Vince O’ Connor for District 1, Amber Lee Cano-Martin for District 2, Heather Hala Lord (incumbent) for District 3. For school committee we endorse Esther Azar, Bridget Hynes (incumbent), Laura Jane Hunter, and Andrew Hart for School Committee seats.

Our endorsed candidates represent diverse lived experiences and professional backgrounds, spanning public education, social work, grassroots activism, climate action, and leadership in public service. 

The acceptance of endorsement by these candidates reaffirms their alignment to the PCA’s values, mission, and principles. Their platforms are grounded in priorities such as responsible fiscal management, supporting public schools, advancing equitable housing development, promoting climate resilience, championing social justice, improving infrastructure such as roads, upholding transparent governance and meaningful civic engagement, fostering inclusive and diverse business community, implementing reparations, fully funding and supporting the Community Safety Working Group (CSWG) recommendations including Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service (CRESS), Youth Empowerment Center and Resident Oversight Board 

“As a community, we must strive for continual improvement and inclusivity. These candidates will champion transformative policies and systemic reforms rooted in a commitment to accountability, public participation, and transparency,” remarked Pat Ononibaku, Chair of the Progressive Coalition of Amherst. 

This year, the PCA Board streamlined the endorsement process by inviting twelve candidates via email to seek endorsement. Candidates whose values do not align with the core mission and principles of the Progressive Coalition of Amherst, or who are running unopposed, were not included. We endorsed a total of ten candidates. We respect the decisions of Jennifer Taub (incumbent) and Pam Rooney (incumbent) to pursue their campaigns independently and extend our best wishes to them. 

Please join us on November 4 and vote for change and progress. 

Pat Ononibaku, Chair & Treasurer 
Deb Neubauer, Co-Chair
Amilcar Shabazz, Board Member
Brianna Owen, Board Member