Our community members support Ben
"As a working parent, I’ve known Ben for years and watched him both inside and outside our schools. He's an inclusive leader, honors different backgrounds, and makes sure no one is left out.”
–Ingrid Alméciga-Pinto, research scientist and parent of 2 kids in Somerville Schools
“I've known Ben for many years, and he is someone who works unbelievably hard to solve problems, bring people together, and improve how our City works for people. He always listens and engages with different perspectives, he is incredibly smart and creative, and he puts in the hours. He's 100% committed to serving this community, and I'd be thrilled to have him as a colleague.”
–Ben Ewen-Campen, Ward 3 City Councilor
“I have known Ben for over 30 years. We served as Student School Committee reps together in high school in the ‘90s, cementing our commitment to civic engagement early. Since then, our friendship has endured across three cities and two states. For as long as I’ve known Ben, he has been thoughtful, inclusive, and deeply caring about how he can positively impact the community around him, both as an individual, and when working with others. Even when we disagreed, we were able to have thoughtful conversations in an attempt to understand where the other person was coming from. This type of thoughtful engagement is sorely needed in our politics and I know he will work hard to serve this community with the same thoughtfulness and care he has brought to civic engagement for over 30 years.”
–Emily Ackman, Ward 1 School Committee Representative
“Ben's been a teacher, a small business owner, and he's the father of two teenagers. He's been deeply involved in Somerville community organizations. He's thoughtful, listens carefully, does his homework, and follows through. He’ll make Somerville work better for everyone.”
–Mark Niedergang, former School Committee and Ward 5 City Councilor
“I closely observed Ben’s years of work with students of color, building their confidence and capabilities. Students flourished under his care, and I saw firsthand how much his leadership matters.”
–Sabrina Parham, director, I Have a Dream Program
“I've known Ben for many years through the public schools, where our kids are in the same grades. I've seen his commitment to the schools and the community, and he never fails to ask the right questions that prompt us to think harder and envision a better future. Ben is a great listener. And he's a doer. And just as I told him when I heard he was running, we in Somerville will be the lucky ones to have him on the case as we work to build a more affordable, equitable, sustainable, and even livelier city.”
–Kurt Hanson, Somerville resident and parent of 2 kids in Somerville Schools
“Somerville deserves leadership that listens and delivers. I know Ben to be someone with those qualities. He'll bring both principle and practicality to the City Council."
–Jake Wilson, City Councilor At-Large
“I have known Ben for over 35 years…since I was his teacher in middle school. Somerville will be lucky to have someone of Ben’s intelligence and integrity. Even if we disagree on a particular issue, I know that Ben will listen with an open mind, because he understands that a Councilor’s job is to represent his constituents. His work in education has been geared toward solving problems; now he will take on the problem of making the City more responsive to its residents."
–Elaine Koury, retired teacher and long-time Somerville resident
“In my work with Ben, I’ve always appreciated his deep commitment to expanding creative learning opportunities for children from diverse backgrounds.”
–Mitchel Resnick, LEGO Papert Professor of Learning Research at the MIT Media Lab
“Ben Wheeler is a Somerville YIMBY member and has volunteered with the Somerville Community Land Trust (SCLT) for some time. He has nuanced policy positions that, while less full-throated in his endorsement of our goal to build more dense housing everywhere in Somerville, might be more politically feasible. We appreciate being in conversation with Ben on these points, and look forward to continuing to collaborate.”
–Somerville YIMBY official endorsement, 2025
Endorsed by United Auto Workers,
Region 9A (Northeast USA and Puerto Rico)
“Our UAW endorsed candidates are labor champions and fighters for the working class. They walk our picket lines, stand up for free speech, fight back against corporate greed, and make sure families can not only survive, but thrive.”
–Jane Fox, UAW Region 9A member
Endorsed by Abundant Housing Massachusetts
“Abundant Housing MA endorses candidates committed to advancing a future where Massachusetts residents enjoy an abundance of affordable housing choices.”