The following statement is attributable to Roxana Rivera, Vice President of 32BJ SEIU, the largest property service workers’ union in the country:

We applaud our endorsed candidates in yesterday’s primaries for running strong, worker-centered campaigns. Congratulations to Boston City Council candidates Julia Mejia, Ruthzee Louijeune, David Halbert, Carla Monteiro, Tania Fernandes Anderson, and Kendra Hicks for advancing to the general election in November! Our members were a huge part of helping move this historically diverse slate of candidates to victory, taking time out of their busy schedules as essential workers to knock on thousands of doors and call thousands of Boston voters throughout all corners of the city.

The results of yesterday’s primaries show that Bostonians are hungry for big, bold change during this challenging time for our city, our state, and our country. We need an economic recovery for working families impacted by the COVID crisis, fair wages, strong union jobs, racial and immigrant justice, and climate solutions.

We also applaud Mayor Kim Janey for running a strong campaign and for already achieving so much during her short time in office, from her executive order implementing wage parity for city cleaners and security officers to standing with unfairly fired hotel workers to upping our COVID vaccination numbers. Despite the fact that Mayor Janey will not advancing to the general election, Boston is likely to elect the first woman of color as mayor in our city’s history, and that is something to celebrate.