Samantha "Sam" MontañoSamantha "Sam" Montaño

JP Progressives warmly endorses Sam Montaño for re-election as State Rep in the 15th Suffolk. Back in 2022, we urged our membership to get to know Sam Montaño (she/they) because we thought JP would be excited about them as a candidate. As Sam runs for their third term representing our neighborhood, we think it’s safe to say that JP knows and loves Sam – as state rep, they consistently show up in our community and are always happy to listen to concerns or explain their thinking on an issue. Currently the only out queer person of color in the MA legislature, Sam brought nearly a decade of community-centered, tenant-focused organizing on issues of housing and equity to Jamaica Plain when they entered office, and they have continued to prioritize housing in their tenure. They were the refiler of the rent stabilization bill and signed on as one of the original ten signatories required to begin the ballot question process for rent control. In the face of the SJC decision to bar the rent control ballot question from November’s ballot, Sam has vowed to file again in the new term and to work to keep middle- and low-income people housed and stable. This dedication is unique not just to this district, but to the legislature as a whole. Sam’s experience is special, but what takes it to the next level is their deep knowledge of housing legislation and thoughtful policy proposals at a time when housing affordability feels particularly crushing. In this last session, Sam was instrumental in the creation of the first-of-its-kind Gender Affirming Care Trust, which now has $8.5 million available! Sam also secured more than a million dollars of district-specific funding for local organizations and public housing. Most of their indoor air quality bill was incorporated into the environmental bond bill, which creates standards that did not previously exist in state law. They managed to get an amendment that helps protect LGBTQ youth into this session’s data privacy bill (still in conference committee). Sam is currently co-chair of the Progressive Caucus and a member of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, which was instrumental in the recent passage of the PROTECT Act. The JP Progressives are grateful to have been able to develop a strong relationship with Sam as our state rep. We appreciate their responsiveness and their dedication to being a true part of the community. We have not always agreed on every issue or approach, but we are always able to have a conversation about any disagreements and know that it will be substantive, respectful, and bring us to a greater understanding of one another. We wholeheartedly re-endorse Sam for a third term.