Scott Campbell Fights to Keep At-Large Council Seat Amid Strong Competition

Scott Campbell's Campaign for a Second Term on Quincy City Council

Scott Campbell, an incumbent councilor-at-large in Quincy, is running for a second term against seven other candidates for three available seats. A preliminary election scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, will narrow the field to six candidates who will appear on the ballot for the November general election. During an interview at the city council’s offices in City Hall, Campbell emphasized his commitment to making housing affordable and supporting Mayor Thomas Koch’s ongoing transformation of the city.

Campbell described himself as a lifelong Quincy resident and the youngest of eight children in a family dedicated to community service, particularly through sports. He continues this legacy by coaching and organizing an annual golf tournament for alumni of Quincy and North Quincy High’s football program. “I stayed involved my entire life,” he said. “Not because it's something good to do. It's a responsibility.”

Before entering politics, Campbell worked in sales and customer relations for telecommunications companies like Network Plus and AT&T. However, he realized that job was more of a vocation than a passion. In 2001, he joined former Quincy city councilor, state treasurer, and gubernatorial candidate Tim Cahill as a special aide, eventually becoming his chief of staff. Campbell regarded Cahill as a role model in politics. “The stances he took may not always have been popular,” he said. “It was the right thing. It wasn't always the easy thing.”

In January 2024, Campbell began a new role as director of government affairs with the Massachusetts Sheriffs Association. He was elected to the city council in 2023 in an uncontested race.

Focus on Housing Affordability

When asked about his goals if reelected, Campbell focused on making Quincy affordable for three generations of families. He mentioned existing programs such as property tax abatements for veterans and seniors, which many residents might not be aware of. He also highlighted the Affordable Housing Trust Fund as part of a strategy to reduce housing costs. Private developers building market-rate housing in the city can contribute to the fund instead of building affordable units as part of their projects. “Can we find a way to utilize that money?” he asked.

Salary Raises and Ethical Concerns

In the spring of 2024, Campbell and the rest of the council approved a 79% raise for Mayor Koch, increasing his salary from about $159,000 to $285,000. At the same time, the council approved a roughly 50% raise for itself, increasing members’ pay from $29,500 to $44,500. Following a conflict-of-interest inquiry by the State Ethics Commission, the raises were deferred until after the next elections, set to take effect in 2026 for the councilors and 2028 for the mayor.

A group of Quincy residents is working to put a citizen petition on November’s ballot that would cap the mayor’s salary at $184,000 and remove elected officials’ ability to increase their own salaries. Campbell defended his support for the mayor’s raise, pointing to the city’s progress under Koch’s 17 years of leadership. “This is a national story here with the transformation of Quincy,” he said. “By and large, it has been extremely successful.”

When questioned about whether he recognized the potential conflict of interest in approving the raises, Campbell said he followed a process led by others. “We were relying on a process,” he said. “That process was presented to us.” He named City Solicitor Jim Timmins and Council President Ian Cain as those who provided the process.

Controversial Statues on Public Safety Building

Campbell also addressed the two, 10-foot-tall bronze statues of St. Michael and St. Florian planned for the façade of the new public safety building. His initial concern was the cost, but he ultimately supported the project. “My biggest issue was the cost,” he said. “At the end of the day, they fell within their budget.”

The statues cost $850,000, according to city officials. They were commissioned as early as 2023 but were not disclosed to the city council or residents until The Patriot Ledger reported on them in February. “By and large, (the public safety building) was managed in a really great way,” Campbell said of the $175 million project. “We're talking about a landmark building, a 100-year building. To over simplify it, you don't buy a new suit and wear old shoes.”

Campbell does not believe the statues violate the constitutional separation of church and state. He argues that St. Michael and St. Florian are “accepted symbols of spirituality” for police and firefighters and “less about religion and more about protection.” However, three civil liberties organizations have sued the city on behalf of 15 residents, claiming that Koch violated Article 3 of the state constitution, which bars government from elevating one religion over others. The plaintiffs are seeking a court order prohibiting the installation of the statues, which are scheduled to go up in early October.