Ward 5 City Councilor Bill Humphrey has returned from his Alaskan adventure (he was studying glaciers and tundra impacted by climate change) with some news: He’s ready to move on.

“After checking in with my campaign team and consulting with my family, I am sticking with the decision I made after last year’s municipal election that I will not be seeking re-election to the Newton City Council in the 2025 fall elections,” Humphrey wrote in an update to supporters.

Humphrey explained that serving in local government has limited his work opportunities and would not be sustainable for him after next year.

“Thank you to Ward 5 for your confidence in me three times to serve you as Ward Councilor,” Humphrey’s message continues. “Thank you, again, for voting for me to move up to the state level, although we finished a strong second place in the wider district this year. I know some of you will be disappointed to see me depart this role, but the time has come for me to find other avenues of public service for now. I am so grateful to all those who have supported me over the years in my campaigns.”

Humphrey was first elected to the City Council in 2019 and has built a portfolio of progressive advocacy on housing, climate change and other issues.

This year, he ran in the Democratic primary for the 12^th Middlesex state representative seat but fell short and lost to former City Councilor Greg Schwartz.

Humphrey said he doesn’t have anyone in mind he’d like to see run for the Ward 5 seat, but he timed his announcement well in advance of the nomination papers deadline to give people a chance to consider running.