MassVoter.com← New Bedford City Council
New Bedford City Councilor
Joseph P. Lopes
Ward 5 · 6 terms in this record
Ward 6 councilor in 2014–2021.
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Council terms
Your New Bedford ballot: 15 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2014–2015 Council
On split votes, Lopes voted the same way as…
- Dana L. Rebeiro79% (72 of 91)
- Kerry M. Winterson78% (83 of 106)
- Henry G. Bousquet77% (86 of 112)
- David Alves75% (83 of 111)
- Steven Martins74% (83 of 112)
- Debora Coelho73% (78 of 107)
- Brian K. Gomes72% (75 of 104)
- James D. Oliveira70% (76 of 108)
- Naomi R. A. Carney63% (71 of 112)
- Linda M. Morad50% (56 of 112)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2014–2015 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Lopes 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 | $503 | $802 | $6,202 so far |
| 2025 | $12,332 | $8,821 | $6,502 |
| 2024 | $552 | $1,184 | $2,991 |
| 2023 | $10,804 | $16,650 | $3,623 |
| 2022 | $155 | $1,807 | $9,468 |
| 2021 | $25,209 | $17,533 | $11,120 |
| 2020 | $102 | $3,538 | $3,444 |
| 2019 | $8,156 | $7,556 | $6,880 |
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
- New Bedford City Council to Consider Home Rule Petitions on Retirement Incentives, Special Police OfficersNew Bedford Guide · Jun 18, 2026
- New Bedford Council axes $584K for Zeiterion Theater in razor-thin vote flipNew Bedford Guide · Jul 12, 2025
Stories that name Joseph P. Lopes 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 29 of 29 City Council meetings in 2014–2015 Council.
Missed none.
Every meeting (29)
- Jun 25, 2015 · Regular: Present
- Jun 22, 2015 · Special: Present
- Jun 11, 2015 · Regular: Present
- May 28, 2015 · Regular: Present (Lopes arrived late ())
- May 14, 2015 · Regular: Present
- Apr 23, 2015 · Regular: Present
- Apr 9, 2015 · Regular: Present
- Mar 26, 2015 · Regular: Present
- Mar 12, 2015 · Regular: Present
- Feb 12, 2015 · Regular: Present
- Jan 22, 2015 · Regular: Present
- Jan 8, 2015 · Regular: Present
- Jan 5, 2015 · Organizational: Present
- Dec 18, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Nov 25, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Nov 13, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Oct 23, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Oct 9, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Sep 23, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Sep 11, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Aug 21, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Jul 17, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Jun 26, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Jun 12, 2014 · Regular: Present
- May 22, 2014 · Regular: Present
- May 14, 2014 · Special: Present
- May 8, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Apr 24, 2014 · Regular: Present
- Jan 6, 2014 · Organizational: Present
Votes where councilors disagreed · 2014–2015 Council
Jun 25Written Motion, Councillor Rebeiro, requesting, that Cynthia Wallquist, Director…Motion: Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – FAILSReferred 5–6 · Lopes: No
June 25, 2015: Written Motion, Councillor Rebeiro, requesting, that Cynthia Wallquist, Director of Community Services, Debra Lee, Director, Council on Aging, members of the Council on Aging Board, CFO Ari Sky and Seniors…
Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – FAILS
Voted: No
Yes: Alves, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, RebeiroNo: Bousquet, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliveira, Winterson
From the minutes
“Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – FAILS – Yeas 5, Nays 6 (Councillors Bousquet, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Oliviera and Winterson OPPOSED.) (Matter #1259).”
Jun 22A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins,…Motion: AdoptedPassed 9–2 · Lopes: Yes
June 22, 2015 (Special meeting): A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro, and Winterson duly seconded, to cut the Chief Financial Officer, Charges and Services by $4,000.00.
Adopted
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro, WintersonNo: Gomes, Oliveira
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 9, Nays 2. (Council President Gomes and Councillor Oliveira OPPOSED.).”
Jun 22A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins,…Motion: AdoptedPassed 8–3 · Lopes: Yes
June 22, 2015 (Special meeting): A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro, and Winterson duly seconded, to cut the City Clerk, Salaries and Wages by $2,863.00.
Adopted
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro, WintersonNo: Coelho, Gomes, Oliveira
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 8, Nays 3. (Councillor Coelho, Council President Gomes and Councillor Oliveira OPPOSED.).”
Jun 22A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins,…Motion: AdoptedPassed 9–2 · Lopes: Yes
June 22, 2015 (Special meeting): A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro, and Winterson duly seconded, to cut the City Council, Salaries and Wages by $4,788.00.
Adopted
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro, WintersonNo: Gomes, Oliveira
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 9, Nays 2. (Council President Gomes and Councillor Oliveira OPPOSED.).”
Jun 22A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins,…Motion: AdoptedPassed 7–4 · Lopes: Yes
June 22, 2015 (Special meeting): A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins, Morad, and Rebeiro, duly seconded, to cut the Labor Relations, Salaries and Wages by $55,452.00.
Adopted
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Coelho, Lopes, Martins, Morad, RebeiroNo: Carney, Gomes, Oliveira, Winterson
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 7, Nays 4. (Councillor Carney, Council President Gomes, Councillors Oliveira and Winterson OPPOSED.).”
Jun 22A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins,…Motion: AdoptedPassed 7–4 · Lopes: Yes
June 22, 2015 (Special meeting): A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro and Winterson duly seconded, to cut the Library, Charges and Services by $10,000.00.
Adopted
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Lopes, Martins, Morad, WintersonNo: Coelho, Gomes, Oliveira, Rebeiro
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 7, Nays 4. (Councillor Coelho, Council President Gomes, Councillors Oliviera, and Rebeiro OPPOSED.).”
Jun 22A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins,…Motion: AdoptedPassed 6–5 · Lopes: Yes
June 22, 2015 (Special meeting): A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins, Morad, and Rebeiro duly seconded, to cut the Mayor, Salaries and Wages by $161,969.00.
Adopted
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins, Morad, RebeiroNo: Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Oliveira, Winterson
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 6, Nays 5. (Councillors Carney, Coelho, Council President Gomes, Councillors Oliveira, and Winterson OPPOSED.).”
Jun 22A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins,…Motion: AdoptedPassed 7–4 · Lopes: Yes
June 22, 2015 (Special meeting): A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro and Winterson duly seconded, to cut the Mayor, Charges and Services by $10,000.00.
Adopted
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Lopes, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro, WintersonNo: Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Oliveira
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 7, Nays 4. (Councillors Carney, Coelho, Council President Gomes, and Councillor Oliviera OPPOSED.).”
Jun 22A written motion by Councillors Bousquet, Lopes, Morad, Rebeiro…Motion: AdoptedPassed 6–5 · Lopes: Yes
June 22, 2015 (Special meeting): A written motion by Councillors Bousquet, Lopes, Morad, Rebeiro and Winterson duly seconded, to cut the Mis, Salaries and Wages by $423.00. Adopted – Yeas 10, Nays 1. (Council President…
Adopted
Voted: Yes
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Coelho, Lopes, Morad, RebeiroNo: Carney, Gomes, Martins, Oliveira, Winterson
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 6, Nays 5. (Councillor Carney, Council President Gomes, Councillors Martins, Oliviera, and Winterson OPPOSED.).”
Jun 22A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Martins, Morad,…Motion: AdoptedPassed 9–2 · Lopes: No
June 22, 2015 (Special meeting): A written motion by Councillors Alves, Bousquet, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro and Winterson duly seconded, to cut the Planning, Salaries and Wages by $2,738.00.
Adopted
Voted: No
Yes: Alves, Bousquet, Carney, Coelho, Gomes, Martins, Morad, Rebeiro, WintersonNo: Lopes, Oliveira
From the minutes
“Adopted – Yeas 9, Nays 2. (Councillors Lopes and Oliviera OPPOSED.).”
Votes with no disagreement (377)
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →