Statement on 2024 Presidential Election Results from Mayor Katjana Ballantyne

Yesterday, millions of Americans exercised their right to vote in the presidential election, including over thirty thousand Somervillians, who voted overwhelmingly for the vision of hope, unity, and opportunity offered by Vice President Kamala Harris. For many of us, this morning was a difficult one to wake up to. Yesterday, we had hope for a future where the American promise of equality and justice could be just that much closer to becoming a reality. Today, we are confronting widespread feelings of confusion, fear, and dread. As we now grapple with this outcome, I want to remind us all of a few things.  

As the ground shifts beneath us, who we are as people and a community remains our solid ground. Somerville’s values remain unchanged. Our persistence in pursuit of progress remains unstopped. Our determination is our path forward.  

Remember who you are, and who we are. As a community, Somerville is like no other place. We are dynamic and nuanced and spontaneous and compassionate. If we must face a day like today, I am deeply grateful to be able to do so enmeshed in this courageous city. Our kindness is the kryptonite to hate. Our hope is the undoing of fear. Guided by our commitment to social justice and progress, we must continue to protect the vulnerable, those targeted by hate, and really all of us from the many threats woven into the cruel promises of this campaign. During the American Revolution, Somerville fought to defend its Powder House. We are all the Powder House now, and with our values, principles, kindness, hope, and unity, we can remain a force for good, for safety, and for progress.  

I’m not saying it will be easy. We have much to understand and navigate. But it starts by ensuring our center holds. I’ll share one bright spot. Somerville voted yesterday to increase our Community Preservation Act funding, an action in which voters selflessly committed more of their own resources to help create affordable housing for the vulnerable, open space for all of us, and progress for all.  

I promise, as your Mayor, to do everything within my power to protect Somerville’s core values of diversity, equality, and inclusion. Today will pass. We will organize, advocate, and protest. We will find ways to protect our vulnerable neighbors, ourselves. But today is hard. Check in on yourself, check in on your neighbors, find unity, get through this deeply troubling time together. That is our way forward.  

―Mayor Katjana Ballantyne