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Photo of James Roy

New Bedford City Councilor

James Roy

At-large · 1 term in this record

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Record at a glance · 2026–2027 Council

27 of 27meetings attended (100%) · whole council 90%
157votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
35no votes (22% of votes cast) · whole council 12%
34 of 55split votes where Roy was in the minority (62%) · whole council 29%
0abstained
10committee seats: Appointments and Briefings · City Property · Finance · Fisheries · Ordinances · Public Safety and Neighborhoods · Special Airport · Special Environmental Affairs · Special Housing · Special Memorials and Dedications

On split votes, Roy voted the same way as…

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 Roy 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

$22,970raised in 2025–26
$16,551spent in 2025–26
$9,564cash on hand through Sep 30, 2026

Where the 2025–26 contributions came from

  • Individuals90%
  • PACs and other political committees4%
  • Unions and associations6%
  • From Massachusetts84%
  • From other states15%
  • Small gifts not listed one by one1%

Gifts from individuals

  • $200 or less63%
  • More than $20037%

Loans from the candidate to the campaign in 2025–26: $1,600 (counted in “raised”, not in the shares above).

Year by year
YearRaisedSpentCash at the end
2026$9,394$3,199$9,564 so far
2025$13,576$13,352$3,369

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 James Roy 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)

Appointments and Briefings · City Property · Finance · Fisheries · Ordinances · Public Safety and Neighborhoods · Special Airport · Special Environmental Affairs · Special Housing · Special Memorials and Dedications

Committee and hearing attendance in 2026–2027 Council, from the posted minutes:

  • Committee on Appointments and Briefings: at 8 of 8
  • Committee on City Property: at 3 of 3
  • Committee on Finance: at 9 of 9
  • Committee on Ordinances: at 6 of 6
  • Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods: at 2 of 2
  • Special Committee on Airport: at 1 of 1
  • Special Committee on Environmental Affairs: at 3 of 3
  • Special Committee on Memorials and Dedications: at 1 of 1

Attendance

At the start of 27 of 27 City Council meetings in 2026–2027 Council.

Missed none.

Every meeting (27)

Votes where councilors disagreed · 2026–2027 Council

Sep 10Written Motion, Councillor Burgo, requesting that the Committee on…Motion: Referred to the Committee on AuditReferred 10–1 · Roy: No

September 10, 2026: Written Motion, Councillor Burgo, requesting that the Committee on Audit review the Mayor’s new staff hire, including the position, compensation, funding source, and hiring process, and report its findings and…

Send to committee or departmentReferred · 10–1

Referred to the Committee on Audit

Voted: No

Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, PereiraNo: Roy

From the minutes

“Referred to the Committee on Audit – Yeas 10, Nays 1. (Councillor Roy OPPOSED.) (Matter #1460).”

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

Sep 10Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment…Motion: Removed from the Table. Approve Appointment – FAILEDFailed 0–11 · Roy: No

September 10, 2026: Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Kendra Parker, as Acting Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors.

Table (set aside)Failed · 0–11

Removed from the Table. Approve Appointment – FAILED

Voted: No

No: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy

From the minutes

“Removed from the Table. Approve Appointment – FAILED – Yeas 0, Nays 11. (Matter #0278).”

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

Sep 10Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a request…Motion: Removed from the Table. Approve Waiver Request – FAILEDFailed 0–11 · Roy: No

September 10, 2026: Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting a request for a waiver for the education and experience requirements for the position of Administrative Assistant to the Board of Assessors.

Table (set aside)Failed · 0–11

Removed from the Table. Approve Waiver Request – FAILED

Voted: No

No: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, Roy

From the minutes

“Removed from the Table. Approve Waiver Request – FAILED – Yeas 0, Nays 11. (Matter #0279).”

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

Jul 16Board of Assessors vacancy: roll call ballot among four…Motion: Roll call ballot No. 1 to fill the Board of Assessors…Passed Ballot · Roy: Not recorded

July 16, 2026 (Special (Board of Assessors vacancy) meeting): Board of Assessors vacancy: roll call ballot among four nominees (Linda M. Morad, James W. Clark, Richard T. Porteus, Jr., Carlos Amado)

Election by ballotPassed · Ballot

Roll call ballot No. 1 to fill the Board of Assessors vacancy

Each councilor named one nominee: Abreu: Carlos Amado; Baptiste: Linda M. Morad; Burgo: Linda M. Morad; Choquette: James W. Clark; Gomes: Linda M. Morad; Oliver: Linda M. Morad; Pereira: Linda M. Morad; Roy: Linda M. Morad. Linda M. Morad received 6 votes, Carlos Amado 1, James W. Clark 1.

From the minutes

“Roll Call Nominations Ballot No. 1 was conducted, with the following results recorded: Councillor Abreu voted for Carlos Amado. Councillor Baptiste voted for Linda M. Morad. Councillor Burgo voted for Linda M. Morad. Councillor Choquette voted for James W. Clark. Councillor Gomes voted for Linda M. Morad. Councillor Oliver voted for Linda M. Morad. Councillor Pereira voted for Linda M. Morad. Councillor Roy voted for Linda M. Morad. Results from Ballot No. 1: Linda M. Morad received six (6) votes. Carlos Amado received one (1) vote. James W. Clark received one (1) vote. A majority was achieved on Ballot No. 1.”

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

Jul 16Ordered, that in accordance with the Code Ordinances, Chapter…Motion: AdoptedPassed 6–2 · Roy: Yes

July 16, 2026 (Special (Board of Assessors vacancy) meeting): Ordered, that in accordance with the Code Ordinances, Chapter 10, Section 10-83, Linda M. Morad has been nominated and elected to fill the vacancy temporarily until the first Monday in…

ApprovePassed · 6–2

Adopted

Voted: Yes

Yes: Baptiste, Burgo, Gomes, Oliver, Pereira, RoyNo: Abreu, ChoquetteAbsent: Carney, Lopes, Pemberton

From the minutes

“Adopted – Yeas 6, Nays 2 (Councillors Abreu and Choquette OPPOSED.) (Matter #1175).”

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

Jul 16An Ordinance, amending Chapter 16, Municipal Utilities and Services,…Motion: Passed to be OrdainedPassed 8–1 · Roy: Yes

July 16, 2026: An Ordinance, amending Chapter 16, Municipal Utilities and Services, Section 16-94 – Rate Charges.

Ordinance: final passagePassed · 8–1

Passed to be Ordained

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Choquette, Gomes, Oliver, Pereira, RoyNo: CarneyAbsent: Lopes, Pemberton

From the minutes

“Passed to be Ordained – Yeas 8, Nays 1. (Councillor Carney OPPOSED.) (Matter #0618).”

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

Jul 16Written Motion, Councillor Burgo, requesting, that the Committee on…Motion: AdoptedPassed 8–1 · Roy: Yes

July 16, 2026: Written Motion, Councillor Burgo, requesting, that the Committee on Finance be discharged from further consideration of the following matters of a Communication, an Order, and Easement, submitted by Mayor Mitchell,…

ApprovePassed · 8–1

Adopted

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Choquette, Gomes, Oliver, Pereira, RoyNo: CarneyAbsent: Lopes, Pemberton

From the minutes

“Adopted – Yeas 8, Nays 1. (Councillor Carney OPPOSED.) (Matter #1222).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 12 (PDF)

Jul 16An Order,Motion: AdoptedPassed 7–2 · Roy: Yes

July 16, 2026: An Order,

ApprovePassed · 7–2

Adopted

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Choquette, Gomes, Pereira, RoyNo: Carney, OliverAbsent: Lopes, Pemberton

From the minutes

“Adopted – Yeas 7, Nays 2. (Councillors Carney and Oliver OPPOSED.) (Matter #1813).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 12 (PDF)

Jul 16Easement, between the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and…Motion: AdoptedPassed 7–2 · Roy: Yes

July 16, 2026: Easement, between the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the City of New Bedford.

ApprovePassed · 7–2

Adopted

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Choquette, Gomes, Pereira, RoyNo: Carney, OliverAbsent: Lopes, Pemberton

From the minutes

“Adopted – Yeas 7, Nays 2. (Councillors Carney and Oliver OPPOSED.) (Matter #1814).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 12 (PDF)

Jun 25Ordered, that the sum of One Million, Seven Hundred…Motion: AdoptedPassed 9–1 · Roy: Yes

June 25, 2026: Ordered, that the sum of One Million, Seven Hundred Twenty-eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty-four Dollars ($1,728,454) now standing to the credit of the account from Wastewater Free Cash be…

ApprovePassed · 9–1

Adopted

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Carney, Choquette, Gomes, Lopes, Oliver, Pemberton, Pereira, RoyNo: BurgoAbsent: Baptiste

From the minutes

“Adopted – Yeas 9, Nays 1. (Councillor Burgo OPPOSED.) (Matter #1101).”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (104)

    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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