Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/government/)
The Massachusetts State Primary will take place on Sept. 1, 2026. Democrats will have several races in which they can cast their vote, and Republicans can select the candidate for governor. You don’t have to wait until election day to vote, see the early voting times, and how to vote by mail. Deadlines
Voter Registration Deadline is Saturday, Aug.
In the upcoming State Senate primary I will be voting for Will Brownsberger. There are three important reasons why. First, we need a Senator who will put the needs of Watertown and Belmont front and center in their consciousness, rather than focus on Boston. Watertown is a textbook example of a streetcar suburb. Indeed, the Watertown that we now know was brought about in the early 20th century by the electrification of the streetcars which ran along our main thoroughfares.
The Department of Community Development and Planning is on the move. The staff will no longer be located in City Hall. Beginning on Aug. 10, 2026, they will be in the Parker Building (the former school next to Casey Park). See details provided by the City of Watertown, below.
Greetings East Enders and Neighbors Beyond:
CONSIDER A VOTE FOR WILLIAM “WILL” BROWNSBERGER CANDIDATE FOR REELECTION SUFFOLK AND MIDDLESEX STATE SENATE, PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
Are you aware that Will was raised in Watertown? Will is a Team Builder who will not forget his roots in Watertown. Will and his colleagues will get the job done for Watertown.
“Watertown, MA – August 5, 2026 – Governor Maura Healey signed into law H.5569, the property tax classification bill that will protect Watertown residential taxpayers from an estimated 18% increase in future tax bills.” “I was proud to work with the City of Watertown and my colleagues in the House to bring this compelling and important legislation through the Senate,” said Senator William Brownsberger.” Sen. Brownsberger brought to light the 10 year underfunding in Chapter 70 Education Aid that Watertown was not receiving. The formula fix raised Watertown’s aid share from 13% to 17.5% by FY 2019, now at 19%
Sen. Brownsberger’s close collaboration with Mass. DCR, MassDOT, MBTA and numerous other state agencies, will continue Watertown’s quest for City enhancements
Please join me in voting for Will Brownsberger on Tuesday, September 1st. Will has a steadfast commitment to our Watertown community and its residents.
UPDATED Aug. 9, 10 a.m.: The debate on Watertown Cable will be postponed to a date to be announced later. SECOND UPDATE: The Aug. 10 Charles River Chamber Debate has been postponed to a date to be announced. The candidates running for the State Senate seat representing Watertown will appear in two debates.
Candidates for 10th Middlesex State Representative, John Lawn and Alison Leary, appeared on a live debate on Watertown Cable Access TV. (Screenshot from WCA-TV)
Transparency on Beacon Hill, the cost of health care, and challenges facing each of the candidates for 10th Middlesex State Representative were among the topics discussed by the two candidates running for the seat representing parts of Watertown, Newton, and Waltham — incumbent John Lawn and challenger, Alison Leary. The 10th Middlesex district includes parts of Watertown precincts 9, 10, 11, and 12. Both candidates are Democrats who will be on the ballot for the State Primary election on Sept. 1, 2026.
Massachusetts State House (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Watertown residential property owners could have faced increases of around 18%, but special legislation approved recently on Beacon Hill will prevent that. See the announcement provided by the City of Watertown, below. Gov. Maura Healey signed into law H.5569, the property tax classification bill that will protect Watertown residential taxpayers from an estimated 18% increase in future tax bills. This comes after months of hard work by Sen. Will Brownsberger, and Reps. John Lawn and Steve Owens working with their colleagues on Beacon Hill, as well as the advocacy by the City Council President Mark Sideris and City Manager George Proakis at the State House to get this bill passed.
Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by Daniel Lander for State Senate:
Three Watertown city councilors have rescinded their endorsements of Will Brownsberger and are now endorsing Daniel Lander and his campaign for state senate. As Daniel continues to build strong support in Watertown, Councilors John Gannon, Theo Offei, and Tony Palomba, have endorsed Daniel because of his focus on building a State Senate that fights for working people. The three councilors endorsed Senator Brownsberger early in the race. But with election day just a month away, they’ve endorsed Daniel Lander because they believe in his vision for a State Senate that fights for affordable housing, supports working families, and that will partner with local leaders to move our communities forward.
Watertown groups will host candidate nights for two races on the Sept. 1 State Primary ballot on Aug. 4 and 5. On Tuesday, the candidates for 10th Middlesex State Representative will appear on a live broadcast debate. The following night, the candidates for the 5th Congressional District have been invited to an online candidate forum.
