“We have known Leila Migliorelli for over 15 years. Our children have shared classrooms from kindergarten through high school, and we’ve shared many hours in all kinds of weather watching them together from the sidelines of soccer fields and baseball diamonds. Our friendship may be rooted in our shared experience as Melrose parents, but it deepened into respect and admiration while witnessing her rigorous civic engagement via her service on our City Council (including two years as its President.)

Living in the same community as our elected officials affords us the chance to interact in a shared context that includes both municipal meetings and chance encounters around town. Leila always carries herself with grace, style, and charisma, as engaged and knowledgeable about the issues facing our area as she is her own family. She is fair and diplomatic, with a rigorous understanding of public policy encompassing both its legislative implications and the people it is meant to serve and support. Here in Melrose, we have seen Leila work tirelessly to move the needle on important issues like affordable housing, fiscal accountability, and equitable access to education and resources. Though is not afraid to push back when her constituents’ health and security are under threat, she always finds a way to remain smiling - she seems to really enjoy this kind of work.

Though deeply committed to our own careers in healthcare and the arts, it matters to us that we are represented by someone honest and capable, someone clear-eyed and creative, who has the best interests of our community at heart. For us, that person is Leila Migliorelli. We are proud to support her candidacy for State Representative, and wholeheartedly encourage others to do the same.”

“Looking ahead to the September 1 primary election, the case to vote for Leila Migliorelli for State Representative is very clear. Leila and her opponent, Jay Higgins, agree on some things: they’re both concerned about affordability; and they have both stated their support for audits of the state legislature. But Leila offers experience Jay does not: legislative experience; collaborative, elected leadership; a track record of support for investment in public education; and the willingness to speak hard truths.

During Leila’s time as a city council member and then as president, councillors ranged widely in their beliefs, but they still moved forward, and she was a key part of the communication, collaboration, and leadership that led to action. It is worth remembering that eleven of eleven city council members endorsed the November 2026 Melrose override.  That is not a typo; that is the result of dedicated people of all political stripes recognizing that an override was the only feasible option in the face of two years of brutal cuts of employees and services from our already lean public safety, public services, and educational systems.

When we spent most of 2026 volunteering as co-chairs for the Yes for Melrose committee supporting the override, we didn’t do it because we love paying more taxes.  We did it because people deserve a stable community where we’re not cutting teachers and police officers every year, taking transportation away from seniors, and so much more.  Leila and every one of her city council colleagues at the time agreed, and so did the majority of voters.

Mr. Higgins wants a robust MBTA system; so do we.  He advocates for universal preschool and pre-K; I’m sure many of us would agree. But he’s also trying to hedge on taxes and portray the Melrose override as unnecessary or as something other than a voter approved initiative.  That is, frankly, disingenuous.  By his own testimony, he spends his working time helping people access social security, medicare, and veterans’ benefits, all of which are paid for by our federal taxes.  If we want to have social supports and a functioning society, then we need to be honest and practical about how it will be paid for - whether it’s at the municipal, state, or federal level.  We know this, Leila knows this, and we’re pretty sure Mr. Higgins knows this.  He can’t put that knowledge aside when it’s convenient, so we’ll be voting for Leila.  We know where she stands.”

“We are writing in strong support of Leila Migliorelli for State Representative in the September 1 primary election. Leila served in the Melrose City Council for 6 years, chairing the Finance, Appropriations and Oversight, and Legal and Legislative committees, and working for the past two years as Council President. Over her 6 years on the city council, Leila has gotten to know Melrose and its government from the ground up: by listening to her constituents, learning about our finances and needs, and understanding the budget and all its constraints. 

She listened to community members and led the city councilors, 11 diverse voices, in making decisions that were in the best interest of Melrose. As a member of the State Legislature, Leila will bring her knowledge and experience to the state level where she will be tasked with addressing local needs and advocating to bring state funding to our city. We want a fierce advocate like Leila in the State House! Leila knows Melrose and there is no better person to keep the concerns of Melrose front and center with every vote she casts. We will proudly be voting for Leila on September 1 and we hope you will join us.”

“I’ve been a homeowner in Melrose for over two decades with my wife and my two girls have attended Melrose Public Schools. We have benefitted from living in a city that in general has believed in a common good and a solid future for our families. Leila has been part of that common good, illustrated by hard work, dedication, intelligence, a belief in our community and a sense of justice.

What I appreciate about Leila’s leadership is that she is a collaborator. She understands that work is not done alone and that much of the work of governing is done in a thoughtful grind, gathering information, getting input and making the call. The work in the legislature is not for dilettantes, it is not for bomb throwers, it is not for those seeking attention, it is for those who are going to listen, to work, and to produce the results to better serve their constituents and build a strong future for the Commonwealth. Through her six years on the Melrose City Council, and two years as Council President, she understands that communities need investment of time, effort, and yes, even money. Leila led through a challenging override to help make sure that our schools and city had the funding to continue to be a great place for us to thrive. And it’s true that local property taxes are what makes a city run, with good schools, public works, first responders that are fairly compensated and other city services that make our lives better.

While understanding that investing in communities is important, she also understands the importance of affordability and the struggle that many families face. On Beacon Hill, Leila will fight to lower the cost of early childhood care, support policy measures to address the affordable housing crisis, work to lower prescription drug costs, and work to reduce utility bills by cutting unnecessary charges and utilizing targeted utility relief. These are issues that face all of us daily and have no quick and easy fixes.

There is no one bill or effort that will help alleviate the economic stressors many families feel every day and these changes must happen in a thoughtful and collaborative manner. Part of this is building state-municipal partnerships and Leila has the experience on the municipal end to understand the reality of implementing complex policies.

I could also say that we should vote for Leila because she is a mom who has engaged in and believes in community, but Melrose is fortunate to have many of these folks. Leila believes in working with those who are struggling to build better lives and understands that strength comes from our diversity and protecting those who are seeking that blessing of the American dream is an ethical, moral and economic priority.”

“As a Wakefield resident and a parent of two rising seniors at WMHS, I am so pleased to cast my vote for Leila Migliorelli for State Rep in this year's Democratic primary on September 1. Leila has the skills, values and experience that I look for in a candidate. She has championed environmental stewardship, stood up for LGBTQ+ families, and has been a consistent voice in support of strengthening public education. Leila has real-life on the ground experience focusing on affordable housing and also on tax relief for seniors. Leila was a three-term City Councilor in neighboring Melrose and served as City Council President, and has been a long-time leader in the non-profit and higher education sectors. 

Wakefield would be very well-represented by Leila. It is clear to me that she really cares about people and is solution-oriented, things we can’t take for granted in our leaders. If you don’t get to meet Leila in her travels in Wakefield, door to door or at the Farmer’s Market, take my word that she is a good listener and a leader who cares about what people really need. It matters who represents us at every level.  I hope you will join me and my wife in supporting Leila Migliorelli for State Rep on or by Tuesday, September 1. You can vote by mail, in-person early (Town Hall), or on Election Day (Galvin Middle School).”

“As a former local elected leader, I know what it takes to deliver results for Wakefield. That's why I look for candidates who lead with their values and have a record of getting things done. This year, I will be voting for Leila Migliorelli for State Representative in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, September 1. Leila is a former Melrose City Councilor and Council President, and she has extensive experience in higher education and the nonprofit world. She is also a dedicated community volunteer who shows up for people--especially kids and educators--when it matters.

During my time serving on the Town Council, Finance Committee and School Committee, I saw firsthand the essential role of productive relationships with our state delegation. Leila has seen this too. She knows this is particularly important for infrastructure projects like school buildings, public safety, roads, sidewalks, and parks. Wakefield does a good job planning for maintenance and improvements, but our town budget can only go so far. For large-scale infrastructure investments, planning and funding must be done in close coordination with the state. Leila has experience with this collaboration at the local level, which she will bring to her work at the State House. I know she will be a strong advocate for Wakefield, Melrose and Malden. We need that now, more than ever.”

“I know I am a frequent writer on matters of local and state politics. That's because I care deeply about who represents our community. In the State Rep race--a Democratic primary on September 1--I will proudly support Leila Migliorelli. Leila, a former three-term City Councilor in Melrose and City Council President, has the right combination of values and action. She understands what matters to Wakefield residents and families: public education, health care, investment in infrastructure like roads and our downtown, and preservation of our parks and open spaces. She will stand up to attacks on our democracy coming from Washington, DC. She will listen to us. And she gets things done. We need someone who can represent our values and who has a strong track record of doing the work: understanding issues, collaborating with colleagues, reaching out to the community, and moving things forward.”