Letter to the editor: DePalo for Governor’s Council

The Governor’s Council is an eight-member elected body that approves the Governor’s appointments to various offices, most notably judges and other judicial positions. Paul DePalo is not only an attorney but a former special needs educator for at-risk youth. He has personally witnessed the destruction the trauma-to-prison pipeline causes in the lives of far too many young people – disproportionately black and brown young people.

This experience is why Paul understands the need for better diversity and representation on the bench, as well as the dire need to restore mental health expertise to the Parole Board. The Governor has been gradually but consistently replacing mental health experts with new Parole Board members who lack that expertise, leaving just one mental health expert on the Board. The Council is currently one vote away from stopping this trend; Paul will be the vote to flip it.

The Governor’s Council is a critical check on executive power, equivalent to the US Senate’s check on the President’s appointments, and Paul will vote to ensure that our Governor is making appointments that reflect these priorities. I cannot confidently say the same about his opponent, who has been funded by a super PAC with close ties to Governor Baker. Not only does it feel dirty for Republican big money to be influencing a Democratic primary, but I have very serious concerns about the impartiality of a Councillor who required the help of tens of thousands of dollars from the Governor’s super PAC in order to get elected.

I ask you to join me in voting on (or before) September 1 for the only candidate in the race who we can trust to fight for our Democratic values with an independent voice: Paul DePalo.

Dan Cusher