City Council Caucus

November 25, 2025
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City Council Caucus Meeting Minutes

Governing Body: Somerville City Council Meeting Type: Caucus Meeting Meeting Date: November 25, 2025, at 12:00 AM Attendees: Councilor-elect John Link, Councilor-elect Will Mbah, Councilor-elect Kristen Strezo, Councilor-elect Ben Wheeler, Councilor-elect Matt McLaughlin, Councilor-elect J.T. Scott, Councilor-elect Ben Ewen-Campen, Councilor-elect Jesse Clingan, Councilor-elect Naima Sait, Councilor-elect Lance Davis, Councilor-elect Emily Hardt. Absent: One Councilor-elect (unnamed in transcript).

Executive Summary: The Somerville City Council Caucus met to conduct non-binding votes for the President and Vice President of the 2026 City Council. Councilor-elect Lance Davis was unanimously elected as President with 10 votes. Councilor-elect Will Mbah was unanimously elected as Vice President with 10 votes. The meeting was conducted remotely in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023.

I. Call to Order and Roll Call

  • The meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m.
  • The meeting was conducted remotely pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023.
  • An audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record will be posted on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels.
  • The purpose of this caucus, as per Rule 2 of the Rules of the City Council, was for members to express their preference for President and Vice President of the City Council in the upcoming year through a non-binding vote.
  • Roll Call:
    • Councilor-elect Link: Present
    • Councilor-elect Mbah: Present
    • Councilor-elect Strezo: Present
    • Councilor-elect Wheeler: Present
    • Councilor-elect McLaughlin: Present
    • Councilor-elect Scott: Present
    • Councilor-elect Ewen-Campen: Present
    • Councilor-elect Clingan: Present
    • Councilor-elect Sait: Present
    • Councilor-elect Davis: Present
    • Councilor-elect Hardt: Present
  • Ten (10) Councilor-elects were present, establishing a quorum.

II. Election of President of the 2026 City Council (Non-Binding Vote)

  • Nominations:
    • Councilor-elect McLaughlin nominated Lance Davis.
    • Councilor-elect Clingan seconded the nomination.
  • Motion to Close Nominations:
    • A motion was made to close nominations.
    • The motion was seconded.
    • Vote on Closing Nominations:
      • Councilor-elect Link: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Mbah: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Strezo: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Wheeler: Yes
      • Councilor-elect McLaughlin: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Scott: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Ewen-Campen: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Clingan: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Sait: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Davis: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Hardt: Yes
      • Outcome: The motion to close nominations passed unanimously with 10 votes in favor.
  • Vote for President:
    • Councilor-elect Link: Lance Davis
    • Councilor-elect Mbah: Lance Davis
    • Councilor-elect Strezo: Lance Davis
    • Councilor-elect Wheeler: Lance Davis
    • Councilor-elect McLaughlin: Lance Davis
    • Councilor-elect Scott: Lance Davis
    • Councilor-elect Ewen-Campen: Lance Davis
    • Councilor-elect Clingan: Lance Davis
    • Councilor-elect Sait: Lance Davis
    • Councilor-elect Davis: Lance Davis
    • Councilor-elect Hardt: Lance Davis
    • Outcome: Councilor-elect Lance Davis was elected President of the 2026 City Council with 10 votes.

III. Election of Vice President of the 2026 City Council (Non-Binding Vote)

  • Nominations:
    • Councilor-elect Davis nominated Will Mbah.
    • Councilor-elect Link seconded the nomination.
  • Motion to Close Nominations:
    • A motion was made to close nominations.
    • The motion was seconded.
    • Vote on Closing Nominations:
      • Councilor-elect Link: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Mbah: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Strezo: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Wheeler: Yes
      • Councilor-elect McLaughlin: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Scott: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Ewen-Campen: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Clingan: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Sait: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Davis: Yes
      • Councilor-elect Hardt: Yes
      • Outcome: The motion to close nominations passed unanimously with 10 votes in favor.
  • Vote for Vice President:
    • Councilor-elect Link: Will Mbah
    • Councilor-elect Mbah: Will Mbah
    • Councilor-elect Strezo: Will Mbah
    • Councilor-elect Wheeler: Will Mbah
    • Councilor-elect McLaughlin: Will Mbah
    • Councilor-elect Scott: Will Mbah
    • Councilor-elect Ewen-Campen: Will Mbah
    • Councilor-elect Clingan: Will Mbah
    • Councilor-elect Sait: Will Mbah
    • Councilor-elect Davis: Will Mbah
    • Councilor-elect Hardt: Will Mbah
    • Outcome: Councilor-elect Will Mbah was elected Vice President of the 2026 City Council with 10 votes.

IV. Adjournment

  • A motion was made to adjourn the meeting.
  • Vote on Adjournment:
    • Councilor-elect Link: Yes
    • Councilor-elect Mbah: Yes
    • Councilor-elect Strezo: Yes
    • Councilor-elect Wheeler: Yes
    • Councilor-elect McLaughlin: Yes
    • Councilor-elect Scott: Yes
    • Councilor-elect Ewen-Campen: Yes
    • Councilor-elect Clingan: Yes
    • Councilor-elect Sait: Yes
    • Councilor-elect Davis: Yes
    • Councilor-elect Hardt: Yes
    • Outcome: The motion to adjourn passed unanimously with 10 votes in favor.
  • The meeting was adjourned.

Last updated: Jan 10, 2026

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