Wheeler, a father of two children attending Somerville Public Schools, has dedicated his career to education and creative technology. After growing up just off Beacon St. in Cambridge and living in New York City and overseas in the nation of Georgia, he returned to Somerville in 2018, drawn by family ties and the vibrant community.

“I’m running because Somerville should work as well as the people who live here do,” said Wheeler. “I’ve seen too many neighbors priced out, too many city processes stall, and too many working families left to juggle too much on their own. I want to help build a city that listens, follows through, and puts creative solutions into action.”

Wheeler’s platform emphasizes housing affordability, supporting and expanding universal pre-K and afterschool programs, and making streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. A former engineer and learning specialist at Scratch, an MIT-based nonprofit providing free coding education worldwide, Wheeler holds a master’s in education from Harvard and has designed inclusive, innovative curricula for public schools.

In addition to volunteering with the Somerville Community Land Trust, Wheeler has experience organizing with labor unions and supporting democratic development internationally. Locally, he coaches robotics for Somerville middle schoolers and advocates for stronger community involvement in city decisions.

“This campaign isn’t just about ideas—it’s about follow-through, and learning from the people already hard at work on our problems, before trying to make policy,” Wheeler said. “I want our City Council to reflect the deep knowledge, creativity, and commitment of Somerville’s residents. We should be asking tough questions, working collaboratively, and delivering clear results.”

A campaign kickoff event will be held on Weds, July 16th, at Casey’s Tavern on Broadway. To learn more or get involved, visit benwheelerforsomerville.com or email benwheelerforsomerville@gmail.com.

—Ben Wheeler for Somerville Committee