Ben Ewen-Campen

Ben Ewen-Campen

@benforward3.bsky.social

Dem. Nominee for State Rep, 27th Middlesex (Somerville) Currently: City Councilor, Somerville - Ward 3. Affordable housing, safe streets, good jobs, public transit, fighting climate change (also, biologist at Harvard Med School) www.benforstaterepMA.com

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Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

Every candidate says they support affordable housing. But what can we really do about it? Here's a tour of my neighborhood in Somerville to see what's possible when we work for housing stability.

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

In my opinion, conversations about zoning are confusing enough without straight-forwardly incorrect misrepresentations like this. Mayor & I both voted for citywide 3-deckers by right + an ADU in Somerville’s base zoning. Question is whether 3-story, 1750SF single family homes are “ADUs” (answer: no)

What is Somerville@whatissomerville.bsky.social

Beyond parody to have @mayorjakewilson.bsky.social and @benforward3.bsky.social going on the record against building triple deckers in SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS

bostonglobe.comSomerville loves its triple-deckers. But a new state law may have them wondering how many are too many. - The Boston GlobeA triple-decker, behind a triple-decker? A new state housing law raises questions in Somerville.
Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

Moving evening with Mahmoud Khalil in Somerville, discussing his new book about the time he spent in ICE detention after being illegally abducted from his pregnant wife and incarcerated for over a hundred days, simply for supporting Palestine. He even took the time to support divestment Ordinance ✊

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

“This Ordinance is about basic decency and fairness,” said Ben Ewen-Campen, city councilor for Ward 3. “We’ve also unfortunately learned through experience that it is necessary, so that Somerville residents aren’t caught unaware when their building is put up for sale.” csindie.com/property-own...

csindie.comProperty owners must tell their tenants that they are selling under a Somerville law taking effect next month - Cambridge | Somerville IndependentA Somerville law taking effect Oct. 14 requires rental-property owners to tell tenants in writing within 48 hours that they are selling their home.

Ben Ewen-Campen reposted

ProPublica
@propublica.org

Sen. Susan Collins helped steer millions in federal defense contracts to Navatek, whose CEO illegally funneled thousands of dollars to her campaign. The FBI sought to launch a probe and was eyeing Collins and other lawmakers. Then Trump gutted the unit in charge. THREAD 🧵

Ben Ewen-Campen reposted

ProPublica
@propublica.org

Replying to @propublica.org

15/ ProPublica is revealing the existence of the case for the first time. We reviewed a trove of evidence gathered by the FBI and thousands of pages of legal records, and have independently corroborated much of Kao’s account. This is the first piece of an ongoing series:

propublica.orgThe FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the WayAfter the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini...
Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

“CLOSER THAN EVER.” Just months after being elected to the City Council in 2018, one of the very first community meetings I helped organize was to build community support for the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA)…

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Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

But we’ve never been closer than we are now to actually passing TOPA at the State House (well, unless you count the time it already passed but was vetoed by Charlie Baker…). This would be one of the most important housing justice laws passed in MA in my lifetime.

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

“CLOSER THAN EVER.” Just months after being elected to the City Council in 2018, one of the very first community meetings I helped organize was to build community support for the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA)…

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

We drafted and unanimously passed a home rule petition, we testified at the State House, and had important victories along the way with our local 100 Homes Program and the Somerville Community Land Trust.

Ben Ewen-Campen reposted

jonlink
@jonlink.bsky.social

Four Somerville households lost their homes in Tuesday's fire on Dartmouth Street. Everyone is safe, but they're starting over with nothing. Clothes, medicine, groceries, a place to sleep. Give what you can to the Homeless Coalition's Emergency Fund: secure.qgiv.com/for/emerfun

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

••IT’S GORGEOUS! Since my first year on the Council we’ve been advocating for a safe crossing and traffic calming on Washington St, in front of the police station, a very busy and dangerous stretch without good crossings.

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

I was so happy when the City announced that this location was selected for an Intersection Improvement, and seeing it come to life is amazing. Wide sidewalks, raised crosswalks, protected bike lanes 🙏

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

1. We approved Councilor Lance Davis's amendment that makes zoning for homeless shelters less restrictive. The amendment requires a Neighborhood Meeting but makes shelters an allowable use in most zoning districts of the City by right, and by Special Permit in Neighborhood Residence District. More:

somervillema.legistar.com City of Somerville, Massachusetts - File #: 26-0835 Title: Proposing an amendment to Section 2.1.1 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Homeless Shelters.
Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

2. We approved an "UCH-TIF" zone for parts of Assembly & East Somerville to incentivize new housing development without reducing 20% inclusionary zoning requirement. Creates a pathway for a tax incentives for projects to make housing development more feasible without sacrificing affordable housing.

somervillema.legistar.com City of Somerville, Massachusetts - File #: 26-0746 Title: Requesting approval of the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Zone, Plan, and Form of Agreement for Assembly Square and East Somerville.

Ben Ewen-Campen reposted

Chris Dwan (he/him)
@somershade.bsky.social

Ward 2 Councilor @jtforward2.bsky.social is resigning from city council effective Dec 31. There will be a special election for both Ward 2 and Ward 3 to elect people to serve out his and @benforward3.bsky.social’s terms. jtforward2.com/announcing-m...

jtforward2.comAnnouncing my Resignation as Ward 2 CouncilorHello neighbors, I was recruited to run for office in 2017 by tenant rights advocates as a first-time candidate for office and long-time business owner in Union Square. I was a true political outsi…

Ben Ewen-Campen reposted

JT Scott
@jtforward2.bsky.social

It has truly been an honor to serve you, and I look forward to continuing our work together. Thank you for your support, your neighborliness, and your trust. I’m so proud to be here in community with you, and I’m excited for what’s ahead – for all of us.

jtforward2.comAnnouncing my Resignation as Ward 2 CouncilorHello neighbors, I was recruited to run for office in 2017 by tenant rights advocates as a first-time candidate for office and long-time business owner in Union Square. I was a true political outsi…
Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

WHAT’S NEXT FOR WARD 3. Bittersweet today to send this letter announcing that I’ll be resigning from the City Council at the end of the year in order to take up my new role as State Representative.

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

This will trigger a special election early next year to fill the seat until the 2027 municipal election. We need great candidates to run! If you are thinking about stepping up to run for office, please feel free to reach out, I’m happy to talk.

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

THANK YOU, SOMERVILLE! I am profoundly honored to have earned your support to serve as State Representative in the 27th Middlesex District. Together, we will work for affordable housing, safe streets, great public schools, a fair economy, and a government that is transparent and earns your trust.

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Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

This was a true team effort, with unbelievably inspiring and diverse supporters across our City: friends, colleagues, unions, activists, families at the playground - I am forever grateful for your support and your trust. And obviously my outrageously wonderful wife Alex, the best of the best.

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

THANK YOU, SOMERVILLE! I am profoundly honored to have earned your support to serve as State Representative in the 27th Middlesex District. Together, we will work for affordable housing, safe streets, great public schools, a fair economy, and a government that is transparent and earns your trust.

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

I want to congratulate Olivia Gilligan-Corsetti on running a great campaign. When she called last night to congratulate me, we talked about how much fun we’d had knocking doors and talking to neighbors across Somerville - this was an incredibly positive campaign and I’m grateful that she stepped up.

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

🧐FUN FACT: Somerville mensch Jim O’Brien is not only an activist, historian, and editor at publications like Radical America and New England Free Press, but he also donated lots of radical history archives to the Somerville Public Library so anyone can read this fascinating history 1/

Ben Ewen-Campen reposted

River_Tam
@rivertam.bsky.social

This is bonkers

Dr. Lucky Tran@luckytran.com

The FDA just approved daraxonrasib, a breakthrough drug for advanced pancreatic cancer that doubles survival time. This is huge: pancreatic cancer was once thought untreatable. The researchers received a standing ovation when they presented the trial results, unheard of at scientific conferences.

Ben Ewen-Campen reposted

Kenny Uong
@kennyuong.bsky.social

Omg what?! 😱

Ben Ewen-Campen@benforward3.bsky.social

🚨The MBTA is planning to discontinue a vital bus route in Somerville: the Route 80 Bus between Lechmere & Powderhouse (see map). This week, Councilor Clingan and I are sponsoring a Resolution calling on the MBTA to reverse this decision. 1/

Ben Ewen-Campen
@benforward3.bsky.social

🚨The MBTA is planning to discontinue a vital bus route in Somerville: the Route 80 Bus between Lechmere & Powderhouse (see map). This week, Councilor Clingan and I are sponsoring a Resolution calling on the MBTA to reverse this decision. 1/