Public Defender Mara Dolan Announces Campaign for Governor's Council

Last week, Mara Dolan announced her campaign for Governor’s Council, challenging long-term incumbent Marilyn Devaney. The Governor’s Council confirms judges, Parole Board members, and commutations and pardons. Devaney has represented District 3 since 1999. District 3 runs from Boston south to Wellesley, north to Chelmsford, and west to Marlborough, with 31 cities and towns including Arlington, Brookline, Burlington, Newton, Waltham, Woburn, and Boston’s Allston, Brighton, Back Bay, Fenway, Longwood, and South End neighborhoods.

Mara Dolan would be the first public defender in the history of the Governor’s Council and has worked as a public defender for 17 years. Dolan previously ran for the seat in 2022, earning almost 50,000 votes and losing narrowly in the Democratic primary. “It’s time for change on the Governor’s Council. We need the insights and perspective only an experienced public defender can bring,” said Dolan. “The more voters know how important this position is, the more they understand how urgently we need new representation on the Governor’s Council. A lot has changed since the incumbent was first elected 26 years ago. One of the biggest changes has been the Supreme Court’s overturning Roe v. Wade. But right after it was overturned in 2022, the incumbent voted to confirm an anti-choice Superior Court judge. Unlike her, I will make absolutely certain that all nominees are pro-choice before I vote yes.”

Dolan plans to travel throughout the district to educate voters about the work of the Governor’s Council and the record of her opponent. Incumbent Marilyn Devaney’s last campaign drew controversy when she falsely claimed endorsements from high-ranking elected officials and prominent Democrats. Dolan will be on the ballot for the September, 2024 Democratic primary.