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Photo of Ian Abreu

New Bedford City Councilor

Ian Abreu

At-large · 6 terms in this record

A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.

Council terms

2026–2027 Council2024–2025 Council2022–2023 Council2020–2021 Council2018–2019 Council2016–2017 Council
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2018–2019 Council

40 of 40meetings attended (100%) · whole council 94%
240votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
9no votes (4% of votes cast) · whole council 6%
6 of 54split votes where Abreu was in the minority (11%) · whole council 20%
0abstained
–committee seats (current council only)

On split votes, Abreu voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2018–2019 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Abreu 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

$29,065raised in 2025–26
$32,602spent in 2025–26
$61,356cash on hand through Sep 30, 2026

Where the 2025–26 contributions came from

  • Individuals83%
  • PACs and other political committees6%
  • Unions and associations11%
  • From Massachusetts95%
  • From other states5%

Gifts from individuals

  • $200 or less73%
  • More than $20027%
Year by year
YearRaisedSpentCash at the end
2026$17,316$15,573$61,356 so far
2025$11,749$17,029$55,335
2024$100$9,237$60,616
2023$35,542$34,284$69,753
2022$53,405$25,921$68,436
2021$55,342$23,100$40,777
2020$1,532$1,967$8,535
2019$20,384$16,715$8,970

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

Stories that name Ian Abreu 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.

Attendance

At the start of 40 of 40 City Council meetings in 2018–2019 Council.

Missed none.

Every meeting (40)

Votes where councilors disagreed · 2018–2019 Council

Nov 26City Council Order, Councillors Abreu, Carney, Gomes, Lopes and…Motion: Motion was made to Adopt the Order not withstanding the disapproval…Failed 5–5 · Abreu: No

November 26, 2019: City Council Order, Councillors Abreu, Carney, Gomes, Lopes and Council President Morad, that all City Departments immediately suspend the issuance of any permits, licenses or other approvals issued by the…

Adopt orderFailed · 5–5

Motion was made to Adopt the Order not withstanding the disapproval of the Mayor FAILED

Voted: No

Yes: Carney, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, MoradNo: Abreu, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, MarkeyAbsent: Rebeiro

From the minutes

“Motion was made to Adopt the Order not withstanding the disapproval of the Mayor FAILED - Yeas 5, Nays 5. (Councillors Abreu, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta and Markey OPPOSED.) (Matter #1693).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Oct 10Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the City Council…Motion: Removed from the Table and AdoptedPassed 6–5 · Abreu: No

October 10, 2019: Written Motion, Councillor Gomes, requesting, that the City Council forward a letter of request to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Cannabis Control Commission as to whether the City is following State…

Table (set aside)Passed · 6–5

Removed from the Table and Adopted

Voted: No

Yes: Carney, Gomes, Lima, Markey, Morad, RebeiroNo: Abreu, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Lopes

From the minutes

“Removed from the Table and Adopted – Yeas 6, Nays 5. (Councillors Abreu, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta and Lopes OPPOSED.) (Matter #0029).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Jul 18Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a One-year…Motion: Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and NeighborhoodsReferred 10–1 · Abreu: Yes

July 18, 2019: Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a One-year Waiver of Residency for Melissa Batchilder, Compliance Officer (Community Relations Specialist) for the New Bedford Police Department, who currently resides in…

Send to committee or departmentReferred · 10–1

Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, MoradNo: Rebeiro

From the minutes

“Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – Yeas 10, Nays 1. (Councillor Rebeiro OPPOSED.) (Matter #1208).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Jul 18An Ordinance,Motion: Passed to a Second ReadingPassed 9–2 · Abreu: Yes

July 18, 2019: An Ordinance,

Ordinance: second readingPassed · 9–2

Passed to a Second Reading

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Carney, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, MoradNo: Coelho, Rebeiro

From the minutes

“Passed to a Second Reading – Yeas 9, Nays 2. (Councillor Coelho and Rebeiro OPPOSED.) (Matter #1217).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Jul 18Communication/Demolition, New Bedford Historical Commission, to City Council, re:…Motion: Demolition Granted with a Six (6) – month DelayPassed 10–1 · Abreu: Yes

July 18, 2019: Communication/Demolition, New Bedford Historical Commission, to City Council, re: Building Demolition Review of 2405 Acushnet Avenue, (Map 127E/Lot 179), a Circa 1860 wood-framed residence, advising that “the structure has historic…

ApprovePassed · 10–1

Demolition Granted with a Six (6) – month Delay

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Coelho, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, Morad, RebeiroNo: Carney

From the minutes

“Demolition Granted with a Six (6) – month Delay – Yeas 10, Nays 1. (Councillor Carney OPPOSED.) (Matter #1077).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Jul 18Written Motion, Councillor Coelho, requesting, in the interest of…Motion: Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and NeighborhoodsReferred 7–4 · Abreu: No

July 18, 2019: Written Motion, Councillor Coelho, requesting, in the interest of public safety, that the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods address what can be done with the matter of pocket parks…

Send to committee or departmentReferred · 7–4

Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods

Voted: No

Yes: Carney, Coelho, Dunn, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, MarkeyNo: Abreu, Giesta, Morad, Rebeiro

From the minutes

“Referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods – Yeas 7, Nays 4. (Councillors Abreu, Giesta, Council President Morad and Councillor Rebeiro OPPOSED.) (Matter #1227).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Jul 18Written Motion: Councillor Gomes, requesting as Chairman of the…Motion: Motion was made to Refer the Matter to the Department of…Failed 4–7 · Abreu: Yes

July 18, 2019: Written Motion: Councillor Gomes, requesting as Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety Neighborhoods, that the Department of Public Infrastructure immediately install No Trespassing signs from dusk to dawn in…

ApproveFailed · 4–7

Motion was made to Refer the Matter to the Department of Public Infrastructure and the Director of Parks, Recreation and Beaches Mary Rapoza FAILED

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Coelho, Gomes, LopesNo: Carney, Dunn, Giesta, Lima, Markey, Morad, Rebeiro

From the minutes

“Motion was made to Refer the Matter to the Department of Public Infrastructure and the Director of Parks, Recreation and Beaches Mary Rapoza FAILED – Yeas 4, Nays 7. (Councillors Abreu, Coelho, Gomes and Lopes IN FAVOR.) (Matter #1228).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Jul 18Written Motion: Councillors Giesta, Abreu, Lopes and Rebeiro, requesting…Motion: Motion was made to Refer the Matter to the Committee on…Failed 4–7 · Abreu: No

July 18, 2019: Written Motion: Councillors Giesta, Abreu, Lopes and Rebeiro, requesting in the interest of public safety that the Department of Public Infrastructure, install signs at all Pocket Parks throughout the City…

ApproveFailed · 4–7

Motion was made to Refer the Matter to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods FAILED

Voted: No

Yes: Carney, Coelho, Dunn, MarkeyNo: Abreu, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Morad, Rebeiro

From the minutes

“Motion was made to Refer the Matter to the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods FAILED – Yeas 4, Nays 7. (Councillors Carney, Coelho, Dunn and Markey IN FAVOR.) (Matter #1229).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Jul 18Written Motion: Councillors Giesta, Abreu, Lopes and Rebeiro, requesting…Motion: Referred to the Department of Public InfrastructureReferred 6–5 · Abreu: Yes

July 18, 2019: Written Motion: Councillors Giesta, Abreu, Lopes and Rebeiro, requesting in the interest of public safety that the Department of Public Infrastructure, install signs at all Pocket Parks throughout the City…

Send to committee or departmentReferred · 6–5

Referred to the Department of Public Infrastructure

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Coelho, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, RebeiroNo: Carney, Dunn, Lima, Markey, Morad

From the minutes

“Referred to the Department of Public Infrastructure – Yeas 6, Nays 5. (Councillors Carney, Dunn, Lima, Markey and Council President Morad OPPOSED.) (Matter #1229).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Jul 18Written Motion, Councillor Carney, requesting that the Committee on…Motion: Referred to the Committee on Appointments and BriefingsReferred 9–2 · Abreu: Yes

July 18, 2019: Written Motion, Councillor Carney, requesting that the Committee on Appointments and Briefings meet with Board of Park Commissioners Chairman Peter Boswell, Director of Parks, Recreation and Beaches, Mary Rapoza, Chairman…

Send to committee or departmentReferred · 9–2

Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Carney, Dunn, Giesta, Gomes, Lima, Lopes, Markey, RebeiroNo: Coelho, Morad

From the minutes

“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – Yeas 9, Nays 2. (Councillor Coelho and Council President Morad OPPOSED.) (Matter #1230).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (188)

    From the official minutes kept by the New Bedford City Clerk (agendas and minutes). The minutes are text documents; we read every action, check every roll-call count against the councilors named, and quote the exact wording. Most items pass by voice vote, and the minutes record only the result for those; how each councilor voted is shown only for roll calls. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Councilor photos: cropped from the City of New Bedford's official 2026 City Council photo (newbedford-ma.gov). The 2024–2025 group photo, and the photos of Maria E. Giesta and Linda M. Morad cropped from it: City of New Bedford, provided by the City Clerk.

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