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Fall River City Councilor
Joseph D. Camara
At-large · 5 terms in this record
Not the same person as Steven A. Camara, who also served on the 2016–2017 and 2018–2019 councils.
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Council terms
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Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2026–2027 Council
On split votes, Joseph D. Camara voted the same way as…
- Paul B. Hart95% (112 of 118)
- Linda M. Pereira63% (88 of 139)
- Michael G. Canuel40% (59 of 146)
- Andrew J. Raposo33% (47 of 143)
- Shawn E. Cadime31% (46 of 147)
- Michelle M. Dionne28% (41 of 147)
- Cliff A. Ponte25% (37 of 147)
- Christopher M. Peckham, Sr.19% (28 of 146)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2026–2027 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Joseph D. Camara as present or absent at the start.
- Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
- Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
- “Whole council” combines every member’s record for the same term.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.
Campaign money
Where the 2025–26 contributions came from
Gifts from individuals
Year by year
| Year | Raised | Spent | Cash at the end |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0 | $1,647 | $4,247 so far |
| 2025 | $10,750 | $5,989 | $5,894 |
| 2024 | $0 | $1,943 | $1,133 |
| 2023 | $8,885 | $8,764 | $3,076 |
| 2022 | $200 | $3,117 | $2,930 |
| 2021 | $6,350 | $5,671 | $5,847 |
| 2020 | $0 | $1,350 | $5,168 |
| 2019 | $40,917 | $39,196 | $6,518 |
As reported to OCPF. See the full reports at OCPF
How to read this
- Candidates report to OCPF, the state’s campaign finance office. Most file with a bank that reports to OCPF, so totals are updated often.
- “Raised” is all money the campaign took in, including loans from the candidate. “Cash on hand” is what was left on the latest report.
- Shares count contributions only, from the line-by-line reports up to the latest bank report date, so they are shown as percentages. “PACs and other political committees” includes party committees. “Small gifts not listed one by one” are gifts of $50 or less that the law lets campaigns report as one total.
- Outside spending is money spent by groups that are not part of the campaign, such as independent expenditure PACs. The candidate does not control it.
- Federal candidates (U.S. Senate and U.S. House) report to the Federal Election Commission, not OCPF, and are not shown here.
- MassVoter updates these numbers every night from OCPF. Last update: October 12, 2026.
These numbers describe the money; they are not a grade. Raising more or less is neither good nor bad. MassVoter does not connect donations to votes or positions.
In the news
- Fall River Firefighters Union Endorses 9 Council Candidates, Snubs President Camara and VP PereiraFall River Reporter · Oct 16, 2025
Stories that name Joseph D. Camara in the headline or opening, newest first, from 25 free news outlets (see the list). Headlines appear as each outlet published them; MassVoter does not write, choose or rate them. Only stories that are free to read are listed.
Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Committees (2026)
Finance · Public Works and Transportation (chair) · Regulations · Economic Development and Tourism
Committee and hearing attendance in 2026–2027 Council, from the posted minutes:
- Public Hearings: at 9 of 11
- Committee on Finance: at 19 of 19
Attendance
At the start of 22 of 22 City Council meetings in 2026–2027 Council.
Missed none.
Every meeting (22)
- Sep 22, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Sep 8, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Aug 11, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jul 28, 2026 · Special: Present
- Jul 14, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 30, 2026 · Special: Present
- Jun 23, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 9, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 3, 2026 · Special: Present
- May 26, 2026 · Regular: Present
- May 19, 2026 · Special: Present
- May 12, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Apr 28, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Apr 14, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Apr 14, 2026 · Joint: Present
- Mar 24, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 10, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 10, 2026 · Joint: Present
- Feb 10, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jan 27, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jan 13, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jan 5, 2026 · Inauguration: Present
Votes where councilors disagreed · 2026–2027 Council
Sep 22City Council minutes: Public Hearings (Aug. 11 and Sept.…Motion: to approve the minutesPassed Unanimous, 9 present · Joseph D. Camara: Yes
September 22, 2026 · Item 13-18: City Council minutes: Public Hearings (Aug. 11 and Sept. 8, 2026), Committee on Finance (Aug. 11 and Sept. 8, 2026), City Council (“August 17, 2026” as printed, and Sept. 8,…
To approve the minutes
Voted: Yes
The agenda line reads “City Council — August 17, 2026,” but the council met on Aug. 11, 2026; this looks like a typo. We will ask the City Clerk to confirm.
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Canuel, it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Canuel)
Sep 22The Appropriation of the following funds to and from…Motion: to adopt the orderPassed 7–1 · Joseph D. Camara: Yes
September 22, 2026 · Item 19: Mayor and the Appropriation of the following funds to and from the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund, totaling $586,600 330,000 for FREDTV, Operating Salaries & Expenses
To adopt the order
Voted: Yes
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Ponte, RaposoNo: PeckhamAbsent: Pereira
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Hart, it was voted to adopt the order, with Councilor Peckham opposed and Councilor Pereira absent and not voting.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Hart) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Sep 22Loan order — $10,000,000 for the construction and/or improvement…Motion: to adopt the loan orderPassed 8–1 · Joseph D. Camara: Yes
September 22, 2026 · Item Late 1e: Loan order — $10,000,000 for the construction and/or improvement of City Streets
To adopt the loan order
Voted: Yes
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoNo: Peckham
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was voted 8 yeas, 1 nay, to adopt the loan order, with Councilor Peckham voting in the negative.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
Sep 8Second Reading and Enrollment: Proposed Ordinance — Amending §62-2(C),…Motion: that the proposed ordinance be granted leave to withdrawFailed 2–7 · Joseph D. Camara: No
September 8, 2026 · Item 10: Second Reading and Enrollment: Proposed Ordinance — Amending §62-2(C), Solid waste — collection and disposal, generally
That the proposed ordinance be granted leave to withdraw
Voted: No
Yes: Canuel, PereiraNo: Cadime, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Peckham, Ponte, Raposo
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Canuel and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was voted 2 yeas, 7 nays, that the proposed ordinance be granted leave to withdraw, with Councilors Canuel and Pereira voting in the affirmative, and the motion failed to carry.” (Motion: Canuel, second: Pereira)
Sep 8Notices of Casualty and Loss: 484 Highland AvenueMotion: to table the matterPassed 8–1 · Joseph D. Camara: No
September 8, 2026 · Item 33b: Notices of Casualty and Loss: 484 Highland Avenue .
To table the matter
Voted: No
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Hart, Peckham, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoNo: Joseph D. Camara
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Canuel, it was voted 8 yeas, 1 nay, to table the matter, with Councilor Camara voting in the negative.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Canuel)
Aug 11Confirmation of the appointment of Ann O'Neil-Souza as the…Motion: to confirm the appointmentPassed 7–0 · Joseph D. Camara: Yes
August 11, 2026 · Item 1: Mayor and request for confirmation of the appointment of Ann O'Neil-Souza as the City Administrator
To confirm the appointment
Voted: Yes
Yes: Canuel, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoAbstained: CadimeAbsent: Peckham
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Camara, it was voted 7 yeas to confirm the appointment, with Councilor Cadime abstaining and Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Joseph D. Camara)
Aug 11Committee on Finance convene with various parties to discuss…Motion: that the resolution be granted leave to withdrawPassed 7–1 · Joseph D. Camara: Not recorded
August 11, 2026 · Item 10: Committee on Finance convene with various parties to discuss the current population estimates for the City of Fall River
That the resolution be granted leave to withdraw
The minutes record the count as 7 yeas and 1 nay but do not make clear how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Camara, it was voted 7 yeas, 1 nay, that the resolution be granted leave to withdraw, with President Ponte voting in the affirmative and Councilor Peckham absent and not voting.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Joseph D. Camara)
Jul 28Order with Memorandum of Agreement between Mayor Paul E.…Motion: to adopt the orderPassed 8–1 · Joseph D. Camara: Yes
July 28, 2026 (Special meeting) · Item 2: Mayor and order with Memorandum of Agreement between Mayor Paul E. } Coogan and the City of Fall River City Council regarding outside legal counsel
To adopt the order
Voted: Yes
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoNo: Peckham
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Raposo, it was voted 8 yeas, 1 nay, to adopt the order, with Councilor Peckham voting in the negative.” (Motion: Pereira, second: Raposo)
Jul 28Third revised Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal Budget General…Motion: to adopt the revised Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal Budget General…Passed 8–1 · Joseph D. Camara: Yes
July 28, 2026 (Special meeting) · Item 3: Mayor and third revised Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal Budget General Fund Appropriation Order
To adopt the revised Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal Budget General Fund appropriation order
Voted: Yes
Yes: Cadime, Canuel, Dionne, Hart, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, Ponte, RaposoNo: Peckham
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Vice President Dionne and seconded by Councilor Cadime, it was voted 8 yeas, 1 nay, to adopt the revised Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Municipal Budget General Fund appropriation order, with Councilor Peckham voting in the negative.” (Motion: Dionne, second: Cadime)
Jul 14Appropriation orders: Revised July Continuing Appropriation Budget for FY…Motion: that the appropriation order be adoptedFailed 4–4 · Joseph D. Camara: Yes
July 14, 2026 · Item 3b: Mayor and the following appropriation orders:: Revised July Continuing Appropriation Budget for FY 2027
That the appropriation order be adopted
Voted: Yes
Yes: Canuel, Joseph D. Camara, Pereira, RaposoNo: Cadime, Dionne, Peckham, PonteAbsent: Hart
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Councilor Raposo and seconded by Councilor Pereira, it was voted 4 yeas, 4 nays, that the appropriation order be adopted, with Councilors Camara, Canuel, Pereira and Raposo voting in the affirmative and Councilor Hart absent and not voting, and the motion failed to carry.” (Motion: Raposo, second: Pereira)
Votes with no disagreement (398)
From the official minutes kept by the Fall River City Clerk (agendas and minutes). The minutes are scanned documents; we read them with text recognition, check every vote count against the councilors named, and quote the exact sentence for each vote. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Councilor photos: the nine 2026–2027 councilors from the City of Fall River's official councilor photos (Contact the Council page, fallriverma.gov); earlier councilors cropped from the 2024–2025 council group photo and the 2022–2023 council group photo (as published by Fall River Reporter, September 2022). Trott Lee: from his campaign Facebook page (facebook.com/trottlee4cc). Ricky Tith: from Fall River Reporter (April 2025). 2018–2019 councilors (Steven A. Camara, Stephen R. Long, Derek R. Viveiros) and the 2018–2019 group photo: from the City of Fall River’s FY2019 budget book. Richard Cabeceiras, Raymond A. Mitchell and the 2016–2017 group photo: Herald News photo by Jack Foley (January 2016), provided by the Fall River City Clerk. The 2020–2021 and 2022–2023 group photos: provided by the Fall River City Clerk.
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