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Somerville Councilor
Ben Ewen-Campen
Ward 3 · 5 terms in this record
Benjamin Ewen-Campen
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Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2018–2019 Council
On split votes, Ewen-Campen voted the same way as…
- Lance Davis93% (14 of 15)
- Mark Niedergang92% (12 of 13)
- Wilfred Mbah87% (13 of 15)
- Katjana Ballantyne80% (12 of 15)
- J.T. Scott80% (12 of 15)
- William White80% (12 of 15)
- Matthew McLaughlin71% (10 of 14)
- Jesse Clingan64% (9 of 14)
- Stephanie Hirsch64% (9 of 14)
- Mary Jo Rossetti58% (7 of 12)
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 Ewen-Campen 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.
In the news
- Save Route 80 bus service through SomervilleThe Somerville Times · Sep 2, 2026
- Abundant Housing MA endorses Mike Connolly, Will Mbah, and Ben Ewen-Campen in State House RacesThe Somerville Times · Jul 7, 2026
- Progressive and labor organizations endorse Ben Ewen-Campen for State RepThe Somerville Times · Jun 24, 2026
- Somerville Democrats negotiate the first successful ‘People’s Pledge’ in a decade to endeavor to stop dark money spendingThe Somerville Times · Jun 9, 2026
- Overnight construction noise upsets residentsThe Somerville Times · May 20, 2026
- Mayor Wilson, State Rep Connolly, and Somerville City Councilors endorse Ben Ewen-Campen for State RepresentativeThe Somerville Times · May 4, 2026
- Newstalk – October 15The Somerville Times · Oct 15, 2025
Stories that name Ben Ewen-Campen 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 58 of 58 City Council meetings in 2018–2019 Council.
Missed none.
Every meeting (58)
- Dec 12, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Nov 26, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Nov 26, 2019 · Special: Present
- Nov 14, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Oct 24, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Oct 10, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Sep 26, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Sep 12, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Aug 22, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jul 11, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jun 27, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jun 13, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jun 5, 2019 · Special: Present
- May 23, 2019 · Regular: Present
- May 9, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Apr 25, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Apr 25, 2019 · Special: Present
- Apr 11, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Mar 28, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Mar 14, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 28, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 14, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 30, 2019 · Special: Present
- Jan 24, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 15, 2019 · Special: Present
- Jan 10, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 7, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Dec 13, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Nov 29, 2018 · Special: Present
- Nov 20, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Nov 8, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 23, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 11, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 11, 2018 · Special: Present
- Sep 27, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Sep 13, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Aug 23, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jul 12, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jun 28, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jun 14, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jun 6, 2018 · Special: Present
- May 31, 2018 · Special: Present
- May 24, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 24, 2018 · Special: Present
- May 10, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 26, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 26, 2018 · Special: Present
- Apr 12, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Mar 30, 2018 · Special: Present
- Mar 22, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Mar 8, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Feb 27, 2018 · Special: Present
- Feb 22, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Feb 8, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jan 30, 2018 · Special: Present
- Jan 25, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jan 11, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jan 1, 2018 · Regular: Present
Votes where councilors disagreed · 2018–2019 Council
Dec 12That Rule 24 of the Rules of this Council…Motion: By City Councilor McLaughlin That Rule 24 of the Rules of…Passed 10–0 · Ewen-Campen: Yes
December 12, 2019: That Rule 24 of the Rules of this Council is hereby amended to allow the President to serve as Chair of a Committee, remove the requirement that the President and…
By City Councilor McLaughlin That Rule 24 of the Rules of this Council is hereby amended to allow the President to serve as Chair of a Committee, remove the requirement that the President and Vice President serve on the Finance and Legislative Matters Committees, add the Committee on Equity, Gender, Families and Vulnerable Populations as a Standing Committee, and eliminate the Committees on Senior Services, Veteran and Public Services, and Youth Services.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantyne, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hirsch, Mbah, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Rossetti, ScottThe minutes list William White as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AS AMENDED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Hirsch, Mbah, Rossetti, McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen- Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne ABSENT: White Jr..”
Dec 12Proposing an amendment to Ordinance 2-123 - Prosecution of…Motion: By City Councilor White Jr. Proposing an amendment to Ordinance 2-123…Passed 10–0 · Ewen-Campen: Yes
December 12, 2019: Proposing an amendment to Ordinance 2-123 - Prosecution of Legal Proceedings, to add a new last sentence: "Such notice shall include the name(s) of the plaintiff(s), a description of the…
By City Councilor White Jr. Proposing an amendment to Ordinance 2-123 - Prosecution of Legal Proceedings, to add a new last sentence: "Such notice shall include the name(s) of the plaintiff(s), a description of the nature of the claims brought by the plaintiff(s), and the amount of damages and any other relief sought by the plaintiff(s)."
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantyne, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hirsch, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Rossetti, Scott, WhiteThe minutes list Wilfred Mbah as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Hirsch, Rossetti, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen- Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne ABSENT: Mbah.”
Dec 12Requesting acceptance of a $400,000 grant that requires a…Motion: Requesting acceptance of a $400,000 grant that requires a match, from…Passed 10–1 · Ewen-Campen: Yes
December 12, 2019: Requesting acceptance of a $400,000 grant that requires a match, from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the SPCD Parks and Urban Forestry Division for the Central…
Requesting acceptance of a $400,000 grant that requires a match, from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the SPCD Parks and Urban Forestry Division for the Central Hill Playground.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantyne, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hirsch, Mbah, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Scott, WhiteNo: Rossetti
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [10 TO 1] AYES: Hirsch, Mbah, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen- Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne NAYS: Rossetti.”
Dec 12Requesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $4,351,000 in…Passed 10–1 · Ewen-Campen: Yes
December 12, 2019: Requesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $4,351,000 in a bond for Central Hill Campus Park and Open Space Improvements
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantyne, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hirsch, Mbah, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Scott, WhiteNo: Rossetti
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [10 TO 1] AYES: Hirsch, Mbah, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen- Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne NAYS: Rossetti.”
Dec 12Requesting the appropriation of $200,000 from the CPA FY20…Passed 10–0 · Ewen-Campen: Yes
December 12, 2019: Requesting the appropriation of $200,000 from the CPA FY20 Fund for the Open Space Acquisition and Improvements Stabilization Fund
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantyne, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hirsch, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Rossetti, Scott, WhiteThe minutes list Wilfred Mbah as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Hirsch, Rossetti, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen- Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne ABSENT: Mbah.”
Dec 12That this Council adopts a minimum residential factor of…Passed 10–0 · Ewen-Campen: Yes
December 12, 2019: That this Council adopts a minimum residential factor of 87.9553 as the legal minimum for FY20
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantyne, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hirsch, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Rossetti, Scott, WhiteThe minutes list Wilfred Mbah as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Hirsch, Rossetti, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen- Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne ABSENT: Mbah.”
Dec 12That this Council accepts the provisions of MGL c59…Passed 10–0 · Ewen-Campen: Yes
December 12, 2019: That this Council accepts the provisions of MGL c59 s5C approving the residential exemption of 35% of average assessed value for owner occupied property for FY20
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantyne, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hirsch, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Rossetti, Scott, WhiteThe minutes list Wilfred Mbah as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Hirsch, Rossetti, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen- Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne ABSENT: Mbah.”
Dec 12Planning Director submitting an update to #209339, the proposed…Motion: Planning Director submitting an update to #209339, the proposed overhaul of…Passed 10–1 · Ewen-Campen: Yes
December 12, 2019: Planning Director submitting an update to #209339, the proposed overhaul of the Zoning Ordinance, to supersede the current Zoning Ordinance as originally adopted on March 23, 1990, incorporating...
Planning Director submitting an update to #209339, the proposed overhaul of the Zoning Ordinance, to supersede the current Zoning Ordinance as originally adopted on March 23, 1990, incorporating amendments from the Land Use Committee on December 10, 2019.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantyne, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Mbah, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Rossetti, Scott, WhiteNo: Hirsch
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED. [10 TO 1] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen- Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne NAYS: Hirsch.”
Nov 14Requesting the adoption of an Order of Taking for…Passed 9–1 · Ewen-Campen: Yes
November 14, 2019: Requesting the adoption of an Order of Taking for the acquisition of 217 Somerville Ave for the creation of neighborhood open space
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantyne, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Mbah, McLaughlin, Rossetti, Scott, WhiteNo: HirschThe minutes list Mark Niedergang as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [9 TO 1] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen- Campen, Clingan, Davis, Ballantyne NAYS: Hirsch ABSENT: Niedergang.”
Nov 14Requesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,400,000 in…Passed 9–1 · Ewen-Campen: Yes
November 14, 2019: Requesting an appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,400,000 in a bond for the acquisition of 217 Somerville Ave for the creation of neighborhood open space
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantyne, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Mbah, McLaughlin, Rossetti, Scott, WhiteNo: HirschThe minutes list Mark Niedergang as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [9 TO 1] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen- Campen, Clingan, Davis, Ballantyne NAYS: Hirsch ABSENT: Niedergang.”
Votes with no disagreement (118)
From the Somerville City Council’s official minutes, posted on the city’s Legistar meeting calendar (July 2022 on) and its older meeting portal (2010 to mid-2022), both linked from the City Council page on somervillema.gov. We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councilor photos: City of Somerville (somervillema.gov) official headshots for Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Lance Davis, Wilfred Mbah, Naima Sait, J.T. Scott and Kristen Strezo; The Somerville Times (thesomervilletimes.com) for Emily Hardt, Jon Link, Matthew McLaughlin and Ben Wheeler. Former councilors show initials.
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