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Photo of Ryan J. Pereira

New Bedford Council President

Ryan J. Pereira

Ward 6 · 3 terms in this record

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

Council terms

2026–2027 Council2024–2025 Council2022–2023 Council
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2024–2025 Council

55 of 64meetings attended (86%) · whole council 90%
444votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
48no votes (11% of votes cast) · whole council 16%
34 of 234split votes where Pereira was in the minority (15%) · whole council 29%
0abstained
–committee seats (current council only)

On split votes, Pereira voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2024–2025 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Pereira 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

$6,604raised in 2025–26
$10,021spent in 2025–26
$2,851cash on hand through Sep 30, 2026

Where the 2025–26 contributions came from

  • Individuals91%
  • PACs and other political committees2%
  • Unions and associations8%
  • From Massachusetts100%
  • From other states0%

Gifts from individuals

  • $200 or less59%
  • More than $20041%
Year by year
YearRaisedSpentCash at the end
2026$2$6,208$2,851 so far
2025$6,602$3,813$9,057
2024$4$3,898$6,268
2023$13,072$5,832$10,162
2022$18,719$16,115$2,923
2021$27,938$27,620$318

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 Ryan J. Pereira 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 55 of 64 City Council meetings in 2024–2025 Council.

Missed

Every meeting (64)

Votes where councilors disagreed · 2024–2025 Council

Nov 25Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment…Motion: Appointment Confirmed and Rule 40 WaivedPassed 9–1 · Pereira: Yes

November 25, 2025: Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Connor Worden, New Bedford, MA to the Conservation Commission, Mr. Worden will be replacing Dennis Audette, who has resigned; this…

Confirm appointmentPassed · 9–1

Appointment Confirmed and Rule 40 Waived

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraNo: GiestaAbsent: Choquette

From the minutes

“Appointment Confirmed and Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 9, Nays 1. (Councillor Giesta OPPOSED.) (Matter #1553).”

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

Nov 25Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment…Motion: Appointment Confirmed and Rule 40 WaivedPassed 9–1 · Pereira: Yes

November 25, 2025: Communication, Mayor Mitchell, to City Council, submitting the Appointment of Cheryl Ann Viveiros, New Bedford, MA to the Traffic Commission, replacing Angela Johnston, whose term expired in December 2024; this…

Confirm appointmentPassed · 9–1

Appointment Confirmed and Rule 40 Waived

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraNo: GiestaAbsent: Choquette

From the minutes

“Appointment Confirmed and Rule 40 Waived – Yeas 9, Nays 1. (Councillor Giesta OPPOSED.) (Matter #1702).”

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

Nov 25Ordered, that in accordance with Section 19-7(c) of the…Motion: AdoptedPassed 8–2 · Pereira: Yes

November 25, 2025: Ordered, that in accordance with Section 19-7(c) of the New Bedford Code of Ordinances, the Mayor of the City of New Bedford is hereby authorized to advertise, negotiate the salary…

ApprovePassed · 8–2

Adopted

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Gomes, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraNo: Burgo, GiestaAbsent: Choquette

From the minutes

“Adopted – Yeas 8, Nays 2. (Councillor President Burgo and Councillor Giesta OPPOSED.) (Matter #1698).”

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

Nov 25Ordered, that Jonathan F. Mitchell, Mayor of the City…Motion: AdoptedPassed 8–1 · Pereira: Yes

November 25, 2025: Ordered, that Jonathan F. Mitchell, Mayor of the City of New Bedford is hereby authorized to execute a Lease Agreement between the New Bedford Airport Commission and the Sandpiper Air,…

ApprovePassed · 8–1

Adopted

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraNo: GiestaAbsent: Choquette, Gomes

From the minutes

“Adopted – Yeas 8, Nays 1. (Councillor Giesta OPPOSED.) (Councillor Gomes not present for vote.) (Matter #1547).”

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

Nov 25Lease Agreement, City of New Bedford acting by and…Motion: AdoptedPassed 8–1 · Pereira: Yes

November 25, 2025: Lease Agreement, City of New Bedford acting by and through the Airport Commission as Lessor and Sandpiper Air, Inc. as Lessee, for the access to land necessary for the full…

ApprovePassed · 8–1

Adopted

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Lopes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraNo: GiestaAbsent: Choquette, Gomes

From the minutes

“Adopted – Yeas 8, Nays 1. (Councillor Giesta OPPOSED.) (Councillor Gomes not present for vote.) (Matter #1548).”

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

Nov 13Ordered, that the sum of One Hundred Fifty Tyhousand…Motion: AdoptedPassed 8–1 · Pereira: Yes

November 13, 2025: Ordered, that the sum of One Hundred Fifty Tyhousand Dollars ($150,000) now standing to the credit of the account from Ordinary Revenue and Municipal Receipts be and the same is…

ApprovePassed · 8–1

Adopted

Voted: Yes

Yes: Abreu, Baptiste, Burgo, Carney, Gomes, Morad, Oliver, PereiraNo: GiestaAbsent: Choquette, Lopes

From the minutes

“Adopted – Yeas 8, Nays 1. (Councillor Giesta OPPOSED.) (Matter #1788).”

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

Nov 13Reconsideration, Councillor Burgo, having voted with the prevailing side…Motion: Reconsideration FAILEDFailed 3–6 · Pereira: Yes

November 13, 2025: Reconsideration, Councillor Burgo, having voted with the prevailing side on the question of: Adoption of an Order, submitted by Mayor Mitchell, for the Appropriation of $750,000.00 from Ordinary Revenue and…

ApproveFailed · 3–6

Reconsideration FAILED

Voted: Yes

Yes: Burgo, Giesta, PereiraNo: Abreu, Baptiste, Carney, Gomes, Morad, OliverAbsent: Choquette, Lopes

From the minutes

“Reconsideration FAILED – Yeas 3, Nays 6. (Council President Burgo, Councillors Giesta and Pereira IN FAVOR.) (Matter #1795).”

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

Oct 23Loan Order,Motion: Adopted – FAILEDFailed 0–11 · Pereira: Not recorded

October 23, 2025: Loan Order,

ApproveFailed · 0–11

Adopted – FAILED

The minutes record 0–11, more votes than the 8 councilors listed as present; this looks like a typo. Individual votes are not shown until it is confirmed. We have asked the City Clerk to confirm (Oct. 1, 2026).

From the minutes

“Adopted – FAILED – Yeas 0, Nays 11. (Matter #1688).”

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

Oct 23Ordered, That the sum of One Hundred Thirty-two Thousand,…Motion: AdoptedPassed 11–0 · Pereira: Not recorded

October 23, 2025: Ordered, That the sum of One Hundred Thirty-two Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy-two Dollars ($132,572) now standing to the credit of the account from Police Purchase of Services be and…

ApprovePassed · 11–0

Adopted

The minutes record 11–0, more votes than the 8 councilors listed as present; this looks like a typo. Individual votes are not shown until it is confirmed. We have asked the City Clerk to confirm (Oct. 1, 2026).

From the minutes

“Adopted – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1342).”

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

Oct 23Order Establishing A Stabilization Fund for A Cable Television…Motion: AdoptedPassed 11–0 · Pereira: Not recorded

October 23, 2025: Order Establishing A Stabilization Fund for A Cable Television Public Education and Government Access Enterprise Fund Ordered, pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5B, there…

ApprovePassed · 11–0

Adopted

The minutes record 11–0, more votes than the 8 councilors listed as present; this looks like a typo. Individual votes are not shown until it is confirmed. We have asked the City Clerk to confirm (Oct. 1, 2026).

From the minutes

“Adopted – Yeas 11, Nays 0. (Matter #1346).”

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

Votes with no disagreement (277)

    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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