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MASSACHUSETTS
Sam Montaño is a long-time organizer in and around Jamaica Plain. Montaño is Latina and identifies as gender queer and non-binary. Sam’s robust history of community organizing work precedes her. Montaño’s lived and professional experience inform her campaign priorities, from her focus on affordable housing to her commitment to improving mental health treatment options. Sam Montaño has served on the board of Hyde Square Task Force, chairing the JP neighborhood council, and sitting on the Advisory Board of the Southern JP Health Center. Sam currently serves as Director of Organizing for Greenroots, and previously spent seven years as a community organizer at the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development. Sonia Chang-Díaz selected Montaño as one of five “Courage Democrats,” and she is devoting her energy for the remainder of the cycle to electing her and other candidates on the slate.
POLICY
Sam Montaño’s policy platform emphasizes the many areas in which she has direct professional and personal experience. She puts particular focus on housing, mental health and substance use treatment and recovery, and environmental justice.
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Housing: Sam supports expanding tenants’ rights through rent stabilization, eviction sealing, and affordable housing production. Montaño supports removing obstacles to build affordable housing and would also seek to reduce neighborhood opposition to new housing in JP by leading community conversations.
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Mental Health Treatment Access: Sam supports expanding permanent supportive housing and addressing the clinician backlog with a fast-track BA/MA program at state universities.
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Environmental Justice: Sam supports making the MBTA fare free and expanding funding for MBTA operations as part of the multi-pronged solution to environmental issues. Additionally, Montaño highlights the need for stronger state protections against environmental racism.
DEEP DEMOCRACY DYNAMICS
Montaño’s political roots in movement organizing mean that movement groups in JP and beyond are well-positioned to hold her accountable to her commitments in office. Sam Montaño’s district substantially overlaps with the 2nd Suffolk District, where two progressive women of color (current Rep. Liz Miranda and Rep. Nika Elugardo) are running, and enthusiasm in each race could drive turnout in the other.
CAMPAIGN TEAM AND THE FIELD
The 15th Suffolk is currently represented by State Rep. Nika Elugardo, who is seeking the 2nd Suffolk State Senate seat, creating an open-seat race in her current district. Elugardo has endorsed Sam Montaño. Additionally, two candidates in her race have not been substantially campaigning.
In addition to a robust volunteer program, Montaño’s team includes Campaign Manager Julia Davidovitz.
FUNDRAISING & OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING
The Montaño campaign’s biggest needs are in fundraising—support from Sonia Chang-Díaz has helped the campaign boost fundraising, but it needs to raise at least $10,000 more to fully fund its operations. Donate