Watertown News asked the candidates for District 3 Governor’s Councilor about their campaign and about themselves. Challenger Mara Dolan provided the following responses:
Why did you decide to run (for reelection) for the District 3 Governor’s Council seat?
If you care who our judges are, you need to care who your Governor’s Councillor is. The Governor’s Council confirms our judges, Parole Board members, and commutations and pardons. I’ve been a public defender for 17 years, working all across Massachusetts in our Juvenile, District, and Superior Courts. My experience has given me a deep understanding of the issues playing out in our courts. We’re doing some things really right, but a lot of what we’re doing isn’t right and does not reflect the values of the people of this district. Our racial disparities are worse than the national average, and we are putting people in prison for relapse, when the science of addiction proves very clearly that punishing people for relapse is the most harmful thing we can do. While MAGA extremists are working for a national abortion ban, we have to make sure our Governor’s Councillor will also protect a woman, and a family’s, right to choose and as your Governor’s Councillor I will.
What is the most important duty of members of the Governor’s Council?
Ensuring equal justice under the law. Everyone who leaves a court of law in Massachusetts must know that, whether they got the outcome they wanted or not, they were treated fairly, with equal justice under the law. In far too many cases, that isn’t what happens. To cite just one example, though 15% of the general population has a disability, in our prisons it’s 40%. As your Governor’s Councillor, I’ll make sure judges take disabilities into account and judge people accordingly, and will always keep ensuring equal justice under the law as my top priority.
Tell people about experience you believe will be an asset as a member of the Governor’s Council.
My experience as a public defender makes me uniquely qualified to serve. Since the Supreme Court established the right to counsel for people who cannot afford to hire an attorney in 1963, we have had 52 Governor’s Councillors. Not a single one has been an experienced, full-time public defender. It’s a perspective that is badly needed, and badly overdue. I couldn’t do the work I do without conducting myself in a professional manner at all times, and that’s what we need from our Governor’s Councillor.
What changes would you like to see to how the Governor’s Council operates?
There must be greater transparency and a greater awareness of the work of the Governor’s Council. I’m not just a public defender, I’m a communications professional. I will work across all platforms to make sure the people of the district know what the Governor’s Council is working on and how I voted on nominees. I will also have meetings throughout the district that are well-publicized so that people can join.
Who has endorsed you in this election?
I am the most endorsed primary challenger in any race in Massachusetts in living memory, and am the endorsed candidate of The Boston Globe. My endorsements include Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, Congressman Seth Moulton, Senators Mike Barrett, Will Brownsberger, Jamie Eldridge, Cindy Friedman, and Becca Raush, House Majority Leader Mike Moran, House Assistant Majority Leader Alice Peisch, State Reps. James Arciero, Simon Cataldo, Michelle Ciccolo, Ken Gordon, Rich Haggerty, John Lawn, Dave Rogers, Danillo Sena, Tom Stanley, and Tommy Vitolo, Progressive Dems of MA, Progressive Mass, IBEW Local 103, Ironworkers Local 7, Plumbers and Gasfitters Local Union #12, State Police Association, the Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council, and United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 2168. Click HERE to see all my endorsements.
What is something that people may not know about you? (i.e. hobbies, interests, etc.)
I’m the best lobster cooker you’ll ever find, and my Yorkshire pudding comes out perfect every time. I love hiking with my dog, Walnut. Being a grandmother is like living under a double rainbow. I have a grandson and a granddaughter on the way from my daughter and son-in-law!