Stewart ready for another campaign

By Elaine Allegrini
Enterprise staff writer

BROCKTON — Jass Stewart is ready for another race.

A political newcomer two years ago, the city's first black, openly gay candidate for mayor made a strong showing but lost to political insider James E. Harrington.

Now, Stewart, 35, said he hopes to build on the support generated during the 2005 race and move forward toward the 2007 election.

He said Friday that he will announce his candidacy for mayor on Feb. 10 when he will also unveil a “plus” to the five-point plan on which he based his campaign two years ago.

“Plus is around leadership, the kind of leadership we need to pull the city forward — leadership of collaboration and connection, leadership of purpose and commitment and, finally, leadership of respect,” Stewart said Friday. “How do we bring people to the table — whether they are employees, retirees, church leaders or regular citizens — to work together, and everyone leave the table with a common purpose that is the future of the city.”

Stewart said he has been encouraged in the 14 months since the 2005 election by voters who did not support him then, but will the next time.

The primary is Sept. 18, the election Nov. 6.

“I'm confident that I will have individuals who were on the fence in the last election on our side,” he added.

Though Harrington, 59, has not made any formal announcement, he told The Enterprise on Friday, “I'm definitely going to be in the race.” As for the possibility of a second round with Stewart, he added, “I've never really cared about who's in the race.”

It is still early in the political season, said Councilor-at-large Todd Petti, who refused Friday to comment on the possibility of his entering the race for mayor.

“Who knows what the future will bring?” Petti said. “Some day, if the residents of Brockton think I can serve in another capacity, I will have to take a serious look at that.”

Ward 4 Councilor Paul Studenski, the retired police chief, is mid-way through his first term and not commenting on his plans for a second term.

Is he interested in the mayor's seat? “I'm sure like anybody who loves the city and enjoys working in the city, that would be something of interest,” he said.

But, for now, he's not saying if or when he would take that step.

“It's still early,” Studenski said.

Elaine Allegrini can be reached at eallegrini@enterprisenews.com.