Greeted by a swarm of union workers holding signs in support of candidate David Biele, members of the Ward 6 and Ward 7 committees met at the Curley Recreation Center to hear from the two candidates for the open State Representative seat vacated by newly elected State Senator Nick Collins. The ward committees are made up of local democrats elected in 2016 during the presidential primary, also known as Super Tuesday. Elections are held statewide, and the town and ward committees are elected every four years. The forum was also open to the public.
Matt Rusteika, who recently left his position in the Office of Energy Resources for the Commonwealth, and David Biele, who has taken a leave from his job as an attorney in the MA Department of Public Utilities, were given the opportunity to present their credentials to the members of the two South Boston ward committees that cover the Fourth Suffolk District. The purpose for the meeting was to seek its endorsement.
Each candidate had the opportunity to make an opening statement and then answer questions both from the forum hosts, Clerk Michael Donovan and Bob O’Shea, Ward 6 chair, before taking questions from the general committee membership.
David Biele stated that he grew up on East Second Street, attended Saint Peter Elementary School, Boston Latin School, Boston College and Boston College Law School. Biele, touting his background as an attorney and former member of Rep. Nick Collins staff and as an intern in Congressman Stephen Lynch’s office, while attending law school, stressed the importance of being able to work collaboratively with the delegation of elected officials representing South Boston.
Matt Rusteika stated that he attended Saint Brigid School, Boston College High School and Brown University. Rusteika, recalling his family history and that he and his family are now living in the same house he was raised in on M Street, talked about the struggle to keep families in South Boston giving the rising cost of housing. He highlighted his role in coordinating the Mass Save program for the Commonwealth and its benefit to homeowners.
Each candidate expressed concern over the rapid development of the South Boston neighborhood and the impact on affordability and the pressure on public transportation. Notwithstanding that it is a city of Boston matter by and large, Rusteika focused on rallying neighborhood resistance to development, while Biele pointed out that his first taste of development impact was right across the street from his home. He stated that his main focus would be on the state agencies that have overriding oversight on the institutional impact of Massport, the Convention Center, the MBTA and UMass Boston.
The evening got a little testy with Biele questioning Rusteika on his support for then Congressman Ed Markey of Malden over Congressman Stephen Lynch of South Boston during the 2013 special election for the US Senate. In response, Rusteika took exception but seemed at a loss to explain his support for Markey.
After the forum, a vote was taken by members of Ward 6 and Ward 7 respectively with the result being the unanimous endorsement of David Biele. South Boston Today anticipates upcoming forums and will publish the dates, as the information and schedule become available. The primary election date is scheduled for September 4, the day after Labor Day.
