Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for Massachusetts Governor’s Council District 7 — incumbent Paul DePalo (D) and Gary Galonek (R) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
The Massachusetts Governor’s Council is a state executive advisory board in the Massachusetts state government consisting of eight elected members. The lieutenant governor serves as an ex officio member of the council. The council records advice and consent regarding gubernatorial appointments, warrants for the state treasury, and pardons and commutations.
Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
DePalo:
- “Address youth trauma in our justice system. Get kids on paths of opportunity, not incarceration.”
- “Mental health and addiction treatment are part of public safety. We need experts throughout the system.”
- “Defend choice and human rights. Protect bodily autonomy and lgbtq rights.”
Galonek:
- “There is currently no reaged for the work of the men and women of law enforcement, or victim’s rights, on the governor’s Council.”
- “There is a lack of transparency on the current GC. They voted to stop livestreaming hearings back in April of 2022, and only began livestreaming them again after intense pressure form the media.”
- “This council is far more concerned with the comfort and rights of the accused and the incarcerated than they are of the victims and the lifelong trauma they have to deal with as the result of violent crimes.”
Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
Additional reading:
Massachusetts Governor’s Council elections, 2022
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