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Somerville Councilor
Matthew McLaughlin
Ward 1 · 5 terms in this record
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Council terms
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Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2022–2023 Council
On split votes, McLaughlin voted the same way as…
- Jesse Clingan95% (19 of 20)
- Ben Ewen-Campen90% (18 of 20)
- Jake Wilson90% (18 of 20)
- Beatriz Gomez Mouakad89% (16 of 18)
- Judy Pineda Neufeld85% (17 of 20)
- Kristen Strezo80% (16 of 20)
- Charlotte Kelly70% (14 of 20)
- J.T. Scott58% (11 of 19)
- Lance Davis56% (10 of 18)
- Willie Burnley37% (7 of 19)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2022–2023 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list McLaughlin 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
- Teen Empowerment funding in questionThe Somerville Times · Jun 17, 2026
- Newstalk – June 17The Somerville Times · Jun 17, 2026
- Councilor McLaughlin says Kensington Connector is ‘dangerous and disgusting’The Somerville Times · Jan 14, 2026
- Somerville City Councilor Matthew McLaughlin announces candidacy for State SenateThe Somerville Times · Dec 10, 2025
- City Council re-elects Davis as President, Mbah as Vice President for 2026The Somerville Times · Dec 3, 2025
- New shade structure at Capuano PlaygroundThe Somerville Times · Oct 29, 2025
- Newstalk – April 30The Somerville Times · Apr 30, 2025
Stories that name Matthew McLaughlin 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 47 of 49 City Council meetings in 2022–2023 Council.
Missed
- Jul 20, 2023 · Special: Absent
- Jun 2, 2022 · Special: Absent
Every meeting (49)
- Dec 14, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Nov 21, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Nov 9, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Oct 26, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Oct 12, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Sep 28, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Sep 14, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Aug 31, 2023 · Special: Present
- Aug 24, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Aug 3, 2023 · Special: Present
- Jul 20, 2023 · Special: Absent
- Jul 13, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 28, 2023 · Special: Present
- Jun 22, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 8, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 1, 2023 · Regular: Present
- May 25, 2023 · Regular: Present
- May 11, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Apr 27, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Apr 13, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Mar 23, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Mar 9, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Feb 23, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Feb 9, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jan 26, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jan 12, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jan 3, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Dec 8, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Nov 22, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Nov 10, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Oct 25, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Oct 13, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Sep 22, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Sep 8, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Aug 25, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jul 14, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jun 23, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jun 9, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jun 2, 2022 · Special: Absent
- May 26, 2022 · Regular: Present
- May 12, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Apr 28, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Apr 14, 2022 · Regular: Present (Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Communication #213452 (Submitting for this Council's consideration, a Minority Report for the April 7, 2022...).; Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Order #213459 (That the Director of Finance and the Budget Director update this Council on the...).; Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Committee Report #213466 (Report of the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters, meeting...).; Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Mayor's Request #213388 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee) (Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Richard Lavey III to the position of...).; Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Mayor's Request #213389 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee) (Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Kyle Lentini to the position of Police...).; Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Mayor's Request #213390 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee) (Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Tenzing Kartso to the position of Police...).; Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Mayor's Request #213391 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee) (Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Patrick Barton to the position of Police...).; Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Committee Report #213467 (Report of the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters, meeting...).; Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Mayor's Request #213392 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee) (Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Jonathan Martins to the position of...).)
- Mar 24, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Mar 10, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Feb 24, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Feb 10, 2022 · Regular: Present (Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Mayor's Request #212883 (report of the Finance Committee) (Requesting the appropriation of $808,639 from the Salary and Wage Stabilization Fund...).)
- Jan 27, 2022 · Regular: Present (Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Order #212955 (BurnleyJr., Clingan, Scott, Wilson, Davis That this Council discuss pursuing an...).; Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Communication #212971 (Updating this Council on the progress of the Somerville Police Chief Search Committee).; Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Mayor's Request #212885 (report of the Finance Committee) (Requesting the appropriation of $150,000 from the Salary & Wage Stabilization Fund to...).; Matthew McLaughlin recused from the vote on Mayor's Request #212887 (report of the Finance Committee) (Requesting the appropriation of $4,331 from the Salary Contingency to Police...).)
- Jan 3, 2022 · Regular: Present
Votes where councilors disagreed · 2022–2023 Council
Dec 14Commending outgoing Councilor Beatriz Gomez Mouakad for her outstanding…Passed 10–0 · McLaughlin: Yes
December 14, 2023: Commending outgoing Councilor Beatriz Gomez Mouakad for her outstanding service to the people of Somerville as Ward 5 City Councilor from 2022 to 2023
Voted: Yes
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, McLaughlin, Mouakad, Neufeld, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Willie Burnley as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr..”
Dec 14Commending outgoing Councilor Charlotte Kelly for her outstanding service…Passed 10–0 · McLaughlin: Yes
December 14, 2023: Commending outgoing Councilor Charlotte Kelly for her outstanding service to the people of Somerville as City Councilor at Large from 2022 to 2023
Voted: Yes
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, McLaughlin, Mouakad, Neufeld, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Willie Burnley as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr..”
Dec 14Commending Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld for her distinguished service…Passed 10–0 · McLaughlin: Yes
December 14, 2023: Commending Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld for her distinguished service as Vice President of this Council in 2023
Voted: Yes
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, McLaughlin, Mouakad, Neufeld, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Willie Burnley as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr..”
Dec 14Commending Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen for his distinguished service as…Passed 10–0 · McLaughlin: Yes
December 14, 2023: Commending Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen for his distinguished service as President of this Council in 2023
Voted: Yes
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, McLaughlin, Mouakad, Neufeld, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Willie Burnley as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr..”
Dec 14RCN Telecom applying for a Grant of Location to…Motion: RCN Telecom applying for a Grant of Location to install a…Passed 10–0 · McLaughlin: Yes
December 14, 2023: RCN Telecom applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 490 feet of conduit in Columbia Street as follows: Starting from Utility Pole 362/6 located at the…
RCN Telecom applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 490 feet of conduit in Columbia Street as follows: Starting from Utility Pole 362/6 located at the intersection of Tremont Street and Columbia Street, to three proposed manholes to a point of pickup at 495 Columbia Street. From third proposed manhole, install 45 feet of conduit to Utility Pole 76/4 located near 510 Columbia Street.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, McLaughlin, Mouakad, Neufeld, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Willie Burnley as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS AYE: City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr..”
Dec 14Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install…Passed 10–0 · McLaughlin: Yes
December 14, 2023: Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install three new manholes and a total of 701 feet of conduit in Columbia Street, to a point of pickup at 495…
Voted: Yes
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, McLaughlin, Mouakad, Neufeld, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Willie Burnley as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS AYE: City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr..”
Dec 14Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install…Passed 10–0 · McLaughlin: Yes
December 14, 2023: Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install 7 feet of conduit in Cross Street, from proposed Comcast Manhole to existing Verizon Manhole located near 17 Cross Street
Voted: Yes
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, McLaughlin, Mouakad, Neufeld, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Willie Burnley as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr..”
Dec 14Requesting confirmation of the reappointment of Michael Flynn to…Passed 10–0 · McLaughlin: Yes
December 14, 2023: Requesting confirmation of the reappointment of Michael Flynn to the Board of Assessors
Voted: Yes
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, McLaughlin, Mouakad, Neufeld, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Willie Burnley as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr..”
Dec 14Requesting confirmation of the reappointment of Richard Scanlon to…Passed 10–0 · McLaughlin: Yes
December 14, 2023: Requesting confirmation of the reappointment of Richard Scanlon to the Board of Assessors
Voted: Yes
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, McLaughlin, Mouakad, Neufeld, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Willie Burnley as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr..”
Dec 14Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Alexis Washburn to…Passed 10–0 · McLaughlin: Yes
December 14, 2023: Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Alexis Washburn to the Commission on Energy Use and Climate Change
Voted: Yes
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Kelly, McLaughlin, Mouakad, Neufeld, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Willie Burnley as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Kelly, City Councilor At Large Strezo, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Ward Six City Councilor Davis, and Ward Seven City Councilor Pineda Neufeld ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr..”
Votes with no disagreement (839)
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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