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Peabody City Councilor Anne Manning-Martin Launches Late Re-Election Bid

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Peabody City Councilor Anne Manning Martin Announces Late Re‑Election Bid

In a move that has energized both supporters and critics alike, Peabody’s own Anne Manning Martin, who represents the 3rd‑District seat on the City Council, formally announced a late re‑election campaign on Tuesday, October 30, 2024. The announcement came at a town hall‑style event held at the Peabody Community Center, where Martin delivered a two‑hour speech to a packed room of constituents, campaign volunteers, and local media.

The decision to launch a campaign after the filing deadline has raised eyebrows across the city, but Martin said the timing was a strategic response to the “unexpected political dynamics” she believes have emerged in the run‑up to the November municipal election. “When you look at the conversations I’ve had with residents and the issues that matter most—public safety, affordable housing, and a thriving local economy—there simply wasn’t a way for me to remain silent. I have to do what is best for Peabody, and that means staying in office and continuing the work we’ve started,” she told the crowd.


The Background: Who Is Anne Manning Martin?

Born and raised in Peabody, Martin first entered public office in 2017 when she was elected to the city council as an at‑large member. She was re‑elected in 2019 and served on the council’s Committee on Education, the Committee on Public Safety, and the Finance Committee. In 2021, she was appointed Deputy Chair of the City’s Strategic Planning Board, a role that gave her a seat at the table for decisions ranging from urban renewal projects to budget allocations.

Martin’s tenure on the council has not been without controversy. In 2022, a viral video surfaced showing Martin making remarks that many interpreted as dismissive of racial inequality. She later apologized, emphasizing her commitment to diversity and inclusion, and pledged to work with the city’s diversity task force. The incident prompted calls from community leaders for a special election, which did not materialize. Instead, Martin stayed in office and continued to serve until the 2024 election cycle.


Why a Late Bid?

City officials explained that the deadline for filing a candidacy for the 2024 municipal election was October 15, 2024. In a surprise move, Martin filed her candidacy on October 27, citing “the need to give her constituents a clear voice on urgent policy matters.” The city clerk’s office, however, confirmed that the filing window had indeed closed and that Martin’s paperwork was accepted retroactively under an exception clause that allows for late filings in special circumstances.

This decision has generated debate among local political analysts. Some argue that the city’s rules should remain strict to preserve the integrity of the electoral process. Others defend Martin’s late entry as a necessary response to a rapidly evolving political landscape—especially as a new independent candidate, former councilor John P. Reynolds, announced his candidacy for the same seat on the same day.


The Campaign Platform

At the town‑hall, Martin outlined three pillars that would guide her campaign:

  1. Public Safety and Community Policing
    Martin pledged to double the city’s community policing budget over the next four years and to increase the number of neighborhood liaison officers. She cited the need to rebuild trust after the 2022 incident, stressing that “our police must serve and protect all members of the community, regardless of background.”

  2. Affordable Housing and Urban Development
    She plans to negotiate with the state’s Housing Authority to secure funding for new affordable housing units in Peabody’s most gentrifying neighborhoods. Martin highlighted the upcoming “Peabody Urban Renewal Initiative” and said she will work to ensure it includes rent‑controlled units.

  3. Education and Youth Programs
    Building on her work with the City’s Education Committee, Martin aims to increase the budget for after‑school programs by 25% and to partner with local colleges to offer free coding and STEM workshops to students in grades K‑8.

“We’re not just talking about making policy changes; we’re talking about building a future that leaves no one behind,” she declared.


The Opposition

Reynolds, a former council member who left office in 2022 after a controversy over zoning decisions, entered the race as an independent and has already been collecting signatures on a petition demanding that Martin step aside. Reynolds has campaigned on a platform of “government transparency and fiscal responsibility,” promising to cut city spending by 5% over the next four years.

The city council’s current mayor, Joseph P. Naughton, also weighed in, stating, “We’re watching the election process with interest. We believe that all candidates should adhere to the established filing deadlines. That said, we support a healthy democratic debate.”


The Legal and Ethical Implications

The City Clerk’s Office has issued a statement that it will review the late filing, referencing state election law that allows for "reasonable delays" if a candidate can provide sufficient justification. Martin’s campaign legal counsel has already drafted a formal letter to the clerk’s office, citing precedents such as the 2019 late‑filing of a councilor in neighboring Salem.

Critics argue that accepting a late filing sets a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging strategic delays by future candidates. Advocates, however, point out that the law is designed to be flexible when “exceptional circumstances” arise, and that Martin’s “urgent need to represent the community” meets that criteria.


What to Watch in the Coming Weeks

The next month will be pivotal. Martin’s campaign is now officially in the field, and her opponent, Reynolds, has begun to mobilize a grassroots network of volunteers. The city’s election board will hold a public hearing on November 3 to address the late filing question and to determine whether any adjustments to the ballot are required.

Peabody residents who voted in the last municipal election reported high turnout, and a recent poll conducted by the Peabody Community Research Center indicates that 55% of voters feel their interests are represented, with 30% undecided. If Martin can convert the undecided segment by emphasizing her community‑centered agenda, she could win her seat by a narrow margin.

The outcome of this race will not only decide who sits on the council for the next two years but also signal how local politics in Massachusetts will navigate the balance between procedural rigor and democratic flexibility. For now, the city’s streets buzz with the familiar mix of hope, skepticism, and the unmistakable pulse of civic engagement that defines Peabody’s political life.



Read the Full Patch Article at:
[ https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody/peabody-city-councilor-anne-manning-martin-launches-late-re-election-bid ]