She ran his campaign’s field operation during his successful bid for state representative in 2015 and later served as his community liaison–so it comes as no surprise that Rep. Adrian Madaro has endorsed longtime friend and Eagle Hill neighbor Gabriela “Gigi” Coletta’s candidacy for District 1 City Councilor.
“I’m excited to endorse my dear friend, Gabriela Coletta, to be our next city councilor,” said Rep. Madaro. “I’ve known Gigi for many years. Like me, she grew up on Eagle Hill in a family of activists fighting for East Boston, attending meetings, rallies, and protests — all experiences that fostered in her a deep love for our community. Gigi shares our neighborhood’s values, understands our history and struggles, and cares about helping people and moving our community forward. She is the type of partner we need in city government. I am proud to stand beside Gabriela Coletta in her campaign to become our next city councilor.”
Along with Liana LaMattina serving as Madaro’s campaign manager, LaMattina and Coletta became a political force during the 2015 special election to fill the state rep seat vacated by Carlo Basile. Working a solid ground game, Colatta’s field operations helped catapult Madaro to the top of the ticket in the five-way race that year. LaMattina would go on to serve as Madaro’s Chief of Staff while Coletta served as his community liaison–attending community meetings and dealing with constituent concerns on his behalf.
Madaro is one of the first elected leaders to endorse Coletta for the District 1 seat and herBoston City Council District 1.
“I am both humbled and honored to receive Rep. Madaro’s endorsement,” said Coletta. “As a former staffer, I have seen firsthand his strong advocacy for our community on environmental justice, worker’s rights, and holding special interest groups accountable. He is an incredible public servant and I look forward to partnering on all issues and working together to better the quality of life of all East Bostonians.”
Coletta will be hosting a virtual campaign kickoff on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 5:30 pm to officially launch her candidacy.
“I’m so grateful for the broad support and the coalition of residents from across the district,” said Coletta. “Please join us for a night to kickoff this campaign surrounded by community members who share our vision for a vibrant and inclusive district.”
In just the first month of her candidacy, Coletta has raised over $70,000 and secured the endorsement of over seventy community leaders including various former and current elected officials. Those interested in attending can visit www.bit.ly/gc-kickoff for more information on how to join the event.
Coletta said she intends to run a robust, grassroots campaign focused on listening to residents, having inclusive discussions about the issues, and will bring her vision for the district directly to voters.
So far Coletta and former director of the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement, Tania Del Rio, have emerged as serious candidates for the seat that will be vacated by Senator Lydia Edwads on April 30. Edwards was recently sworn in as First Suffolk & Middlesex State Senator.
Coletta is currently the External Relations Manager at the New England Aquarium where she advocates for a more resilient, inclusive, and accessible waterfront for all Bostonians.
After serving as Madaro’s community liaison she ran Edward’s successful campaign for District 1 City Councilor in 2017 and then served as Edwards’s chief of staff until last summer.