Councillors emerge early as candidates for vacant mayor’s seat

  Two city councillors this week announced their decision to run for mayor in the wake of Mayor Brian Arrigo’s announcement that he will not seek reelection.

  City Council President Patrick Keefe and Councillor-At-Large Gerry Visconti will be on the ballot this fall although neither candidate has yet pulled papers which are not available until May 1.

  Keefe, who is serving his second term as Ward 4 councillor and is treasurer for the Revere Democratic City Committee, said Revere is the center of his family’s life and he is all in.
“The city’s accomplishments over the last few years have been transformative and I’m proud to support and advocate for our continued progress. With all of our current successes we’ve had, it is important to remember that the work must carry on. It is the only constant,” wrote Keefe in a statement he released this week.
“The next leader of our city should use our last eight years as our foundation and continue moving the city forward. I know that my calling has come and have the experience, leadership and unmatched work ethic to get the job done,” he said.

  At-Large Councillor Gerry Visconti has also tossed his hat into the ring. Visconti said it has been humbling that so many people have encouraged him to run.

  Visconti is serving his first term as councillor-at-large. Before being elected to the city council he served on the Revere School Committee. He is a small business owner and serves as president of Middlesex Mortgage Financial, Inc.

  “With a transition coming this fall, I believe now is the time for new vision and leadership. As a result, I am announcing my candidacy for mayor,” Visconti said in a written statement released this week.

  Visconti said he regretted that the vitriol and tone of national politics has made its way to the local level.

  “If given the opportunity, I will be a mayor for each and every Revere resident, whether it be a lifelong resident or a new resident that chose this city to call home.

Visconti said he looks forward to talking with residents and sharing his vision.

  “I want to be the candidate to get us past political divisions, working together for a better Revere.

  Keefe and Visconti often work collaboratively on the council, but they differ on what will no doubt be the headlining issue in upcoming campaigns: the new high school.

Keefe has passionately declared he would do what it takes to get the plan to build the new high school at wonderland back on track despite the council’s decision to vote the plan down.

  While Visconti also fully supports a new high school, he has insisted that the city make financially responsible choices about the project.

  It has been speculated that Councillor-at-Large Steve Morabito has also expressed his intentions to toss his hat into the mayoral race as well.