How did Mike get his start in politics?
Mike’s father was the first Italian-American elected official in the City of Somerville so Mike learned about elective office at a young age. Mike won the Ward 5 Alderman’s seat in 1977, the same year he graduated from Boston College Law School. He then ran for Mayor of Somerville in 1979 and again in 1981, losing both times. In 1985 he ran for, and won, Alderman-at-Large, and was re-elected in 1987. Mike was elected Mayor of Somerville in 1989. Mike served as Mayor from 1990 until he stepped down in January, 1999, just prior to being sworn in to Congress.
