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Vicki Danberg, shown here with campaign supporters, is running for an 11th term on Newton's City Council. COURTESY PHOTO
Ward 6 at-large City Councilor Vicki Danberg, who’s served in City Hall for 11 terms, is not running for reelection this fall.
Danberg announced her decision in an email to supporters Monday morning.
“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to represent you for twenty two years on the Newton City Council,” Danberg wrote. “Over these years, your trust, support and honest feedback have shaped my understanding of our community and helped me grow not only as a public servant, but as a person. Thank you for the encouragement, the conversations and the willingness to partner in shaping a better Newton.”
Danberg is the latest city councilor to forego a run for reelection. Two Ward 5 councilors—Bill Humphrey and Andreae Downs—announced earlier this year that they’d be sitting out the election. And Marc Laredo isn’t running for his seat again because he’s running for mayor.
Danberg has lived in Newton since 1977 and was first elected to the Board of Aldermen (which later became the City Council) in 2003.
She’s made housing and climate action two of her main focuses in recent years, having advocated for village center up-zoning and having led Newton’s effort to ban polystyrene items, single-use plastic bags and “nip” bottles.
In her message to the community, Danberg promised to stay active in the city.
“I have truly valued the opportunity to work with so many dedicated colleagues, neighbors and talented and dedicated City staff on issues that matter – strengthening our zoning and planning policies, improving public facilities and safety, advancing accessible transit, expanding affordable housing options and advocating for environmentally responsible waste management,” she wrote. “These efforts reflect our shared values and aspirations and I am proud of the progress we have made together.”
Danberg’s seat may already have a contender, as Sean Roche has been collecting signatures for a run for the seat.