Newton Candidate Profile: Dan Gaynor For City Council

NEWTON, MA — With the Newton Municipal Election scheduled for Nov. 7, Patch is profiling the candidates.

Here, we learn more about Dan Gaynor, who is running for ward councilor representing Ward 2 on the Newton City Council. Gaynor is running against David Micley for the seat being vacated by Emily Norton, who is not seeking reelection.

Gaynor is a small business owner who previously served as a presidential appointee for national security in the Obama-Biden Administration.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Dan Gaynor

How old will you be as of Election Day?

36

Campaign website

https://www.gaynorforma.com

What city or town do you live in?

Newtonville

What office are you seeking?

City Council, Ward 2

District

Ward 2

Please give us your party affiliation

Democrat

Education

Bachelors at Washington University in St. Louis and Masters from the London School of Economics

Occupation

Newton small business owner

Family

14-month old daughter (Poppy) and wife (Cara)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My father, Robert Gaynor, served as a Newton Alderman in the 70's and 80's.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I served as a presidential appointee for national security in the Obama-Biden Administration.

Why are you seeking this office?

As a hometown kid born, raised, and still living on Cabot Street, I'm running for a singular reason: to ensure Newton remains the best place to live, at any age or income.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is zoning, and this is what I intend to do about it: with the new MBTA Communities Act requiring Newton to zone for more housing, we need to hold developers accountable, limit heights, and protect our priorities. We must preserve the green space in “the Garden City,” while also offering a greater diversity of options for families at every phase of life. That means fighting for smoother roads, wider sidewalks, and ground-floor retail space for small, independent businesses.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

1. Experience: as a local business owner and Obama-Biden administration alum, I'll bring a pragmatic, data-driven, common-sense approach to solving Newton's hardest challenges.

2. Policy: with the values of walkability, affordability, and sustainability at the core of my platform, I've tailored a vision for smarter development, sustainable innovation, stronger schools and safer streets.

3. Positivity: in spite of negative attacks, I'm committed to running a positive, policy-driven campaign that balances progress and preservation of our neighborhoods.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

The first is smarter development. That means ensuring our villages are more affordable and accessible for families. It also means bringing life to our empty storefronts. As a local small business owner — and the only job-creator in this race — I believe Newton should welcome diverse entrepreneurs to open up shop — not just the big corporations with the time, money, and staff to navigate the system.

My next priority is sustainable innovation. As a member of Green Newton and Friends of Edmands Park, as well as a career sustainability advocate, I believe our city must embrace a greener future by enhancing energy efficiency, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, and making it safer to bike and walk. And, of course, we need safer streets. We’ve got to fix our roads, fight flooding, and plant trees faster to restore the 20,000 cut down over the past 4 decades.

As the dad to a future Cabot School student, we’ve got to strengthen our public schools. When I was growing up here, Newton was renowned for having the best schools in the best state for education. At a time of uncertainty for our teachers, it’s essential to invest in our educators.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In addition to my service in the Obama-Biden administration, I am a passionate supporter of many local nonprofit organizations. I serve as a member of Green Newton, Friends of Edmands Park, the Boston Chamber of Commerce, and the New England Council, our nation’s oldest regional business organization; on the New Frontier Steering Committee of the John F. Kennedy Library & Foundation; on the Community Advisory Board of WBUR (the nation's first NPR news Station); and as a fellow at the Truman Center for National Policy.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"When they go low, you go high."

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I founded a company in Newton that helps global companies strengthen their commitments to better business practices, from embracing renewable energy to boosting diversity.