Westbrook City Council Election Draws Multiple Candidates

The Westbrook City Council and School Committee elections are gearing up for the November 4 municipal election, with multiple incumbents and new candidates filing nomination papers for various seats. In Boston politics, a recent poll shows incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu leading challenger Josh Kraft by a wide margin, with Wu benefiting from strong public approval despite some policy disagreements, while Kraft struggles with unfavorable perceptions linked to associations with former President Trump. Meanwhile, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey faced criticism for awarding raises to her cabinet secretaries amid ongoing public defender work stoppages, which has raised concerns about the timing and optics. Additionally, Massachusetts continues to advance its clean energy initiatives through the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program, adapting to legislative changes from the 2024 Climate Act to promote solar development and streamline permitting. These political and environmental developments reflect ongoing efforts in Massachusetts to address governance, public perception, and sustainability goals.