Stewart can take Brockton to new heights
The Enterprise (Brockton) Sunday, November 4, 2007
"It is time for a change. It is time to focus on what can be instead of what is. It is time for a fresh new image for our city, a dynamic new direction for our government and a real opportunity to make Brockton the City of Champions once again. The Enterprise unreservedly endorses Jass Stewart for mayor of Brockton."
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School degrees come to fore in election
The Enterprise (Brockton) Sunday, October 28, 2007
"What began as an attempt to cast doubt on whether mayoral challenger Jass Stewart graduated from college ended with the revelation that the current mayor never graduated high school. Mayor James E. Harrington, an 18-year public official and successful businessman, disclosed Thursday that he did not earn a high school diploma."
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Local service workers union backs Stewart
The Enterprise (Brockton) Wednesday, October 24, 2007
"'I'm excited and I am honored to have earned the endorsement of those who work for the mayor,' Stewart said. 'I think it speaks volumes to the type of leadership that people are seeking. I look forward to working with our city's employees to build the kind of Brockton we all hope to live and work in.'"
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Power plant fuels mayoral race
The Enterprise (Brockton) Sunday, October 21, 2007
"The minutes of a meeting say he did. The heads of a city development organization say he did. And a letter to the state indicates he did. But Mayor James E. Harrington is adamant — he says he has never supported a proposal for a power plant in Brockton."
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Accusations fly at debate
The Enterprise (Brockton) Thursday, October 18, 2007
"But Stewart, who garnered 107 fewer votes than Harrington in last month's preliminary election and is in his second bid for mayor, argued that the mayor's experience hasn't helped the city, particularly with crime and jobs. 'We're stagnant here in Brockton. The average income has decreased since this mayor took office. The number of companies employing people has decreased since this mayor took office.'".
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After photo flap, race focuses on issues
Boston Globe South (Boston) Sunday, October 14, 2007
"Before Stewart was well known to voters, the photo might have mattered. But he has spoken openly about his private life and his marriage since he started campaigning in 2003. That Stewart would become not only the city's first African-American mayor, but its first gay mayor, is no longer the issue of the race."
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Gay smear costs aide to mayor
The Enterprise (Brockton) Friday, September 28, 2007
"'This slap on the wrist for Mr. Rodrigues is a slap in the face for all those people who believe that our government should represent the best of who we are, that equality and justice should prevail over any appointment or friendship.' Stewart said. Stewart said he is 'ready to move on' and focus on city issues, including crime and a stagnant economy."
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Gay politics talk of city
The Enterprise (Brockton) Thursday, September 27, 2007
"Stewart said he hopes the mayor 'will step up to the plate on this issue and show that discrimination of this type or any other type will not be tolerated in our government, that he makes the appropriate decision about Mr. Rodrigues’ future in that public position.'”
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Kiss ignites campaign tiff
The Enterprise (Brockton) Tuesday, September 25, 2007
"Rodrigues claims the mayor's director of community services, Moises Rodrigues, no relation, passed him the photograph when the two met over city business. 'He handed me a picture. He just said, 'So this is the guy you're voting for? This is the guy who you want to run the city of Brockton?' said Tony Rodrigues, 29, of Brockton."
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Preliminary draws heavy turnout
The Enterprise (Brockton) Sunday, September 23, 2007
"Ward 4 resident Virginia Jeppson says she saw a lot of new faces at the polls when she cast her vote in the city's preliminary election Tuesday. The reason more voters turned out was because of a controversial power plant being proposed in her ward, she said."
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Healthy voter turnout good news for city
The Enterprise (Brockton) Thursday, September 20, 2007
"The only real surprise in Tuesday's preliminary election in Brockton was the 20 percent turnout, as most people were predicting a turnout of 10 to 12 percent. It is proof that the citizens of Brockton care about their city and who leads them."
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Mayor's contest a sprint to finish
The Enterprise (Brockton) Monday, September 17, 2007
"Mayoral candidate Jass Stewart was up at 6 a.m. Sunday, two days before the city's preliminary election. Stewart spent the day having coffee with voters at an Ash Street home and attending the Jean Sullivan Memorial Breakfast and a motorcycle fundraiser for a local animal shelter."
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Mayor boasts top funding totals
The Enterprise (Brockton) Sunday, September 16, 2007
"Mayoral candidate Jass Stewart amassed more than $66,000 for his campaign from January through August, the most raised by all three candidates during that period, campaign finance records show. But incumbent Mayor James E. Harrington -- who raised the second largest amount, about $55,000, in the same period -- had a much bigger war chest than Stewart before Jan. 1."
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ROUND 2: Harrington vs. Stewart
The Enterprise (Brockton) Wednesday, September 19, 2007
"Voters on Tuesday secured a rematch of former political rivals Jass Stewart and incumbent Mayor James Harrington in November. And if Tuesday's close preliminary election is any indication of what's to come in the weeks ahead, their second-round tilt for the mayor's office will be heated, several said."
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Stewart: Sincere, passionate
The Enterprise (Brockton) Thursday, September 13, 2007
"Those who have gotten to know Stewart describe him as 'very passionate' in his community work and a trailblazer in a city that has never had a black mayoral candidate or elected a minority to the City Council. 'What really struck me about him is his sincerity,' said John Williams, 27, of Brockton, a Stewart supporter and a member of the Brockton Peace Crusaders.
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Gayle Kelley: Cops on the take
The Enterprise (Brockton) Thursday, September 13, 2007
"While any large municipality faces challenges with people who may not live up to the institution's standards, 'there are proper venues for addressing these issues,' Stewart said. For a mayoral candidate 'to publicly impugn the integrity of the very individuals she is hoping to lead and inspire is a clear and striking indication that Ms. Kelley is not the right person to lead our city,' Stewart said.
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Thumbs Down!
The Enterprise (Brockton) Sunday, September 9, 2007
"To Mayor James Harrington and mayoral candidate Gayle Kelley, for their poor responses in Thursday night's debate to the drug problem in Brockton. It should be noted that the third candidate for mayor, Jass Stewart, differed dramatically with Harrington and Kelley. He said he knows good, strong families affected by this."
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Mayor defends record in debate
The Enterprise (Brockton) Friday, September 7, 2007
"But Stewart, a political newcomer who last to Harrington in the 2005 election, argued that the mayor’s experience hasn’t helped the city. 'What I see is a city where crime is up, where unemployment is up, where foreclosures are out of control,' Stewart said Thursday night during the debate at the Brockton Community Access studio. 'If that’s the kind of experience this mayor is bringing to the table, we can do without that.'"
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Two run against 1st-term mayor
Boston Globe South (Boston) Thursday, September 6, 2007
"Said Stewart, 'I think people feel the city has been in neutral since the last election. It's a precarious place to be when the rest of the world is moving forward.'"
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“Candidates” will focus on mayor’s office
The Enterprise (Brockton) Monday, August 6, 2007
"We are at a pivotal time in Brockton’s history, and we truly feel Jass Stewart is the right person to lead Brockton forward. We have witnessed firsthand the seriousness and seemingly limitless energy Jass Stewart has brought to his nearly five-year campaign for mayor."
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Fundraiser held for mayoral hopeful Stewart
The Enterprise (Brockton) Friday, July 27, 2007
"'We’re hoping Jass will be the one to interact with the community more, and bring new ideas for the solving of all these problems,' said Adriano Cabral, a former president of Brockton’s Cape Verdean Association and one of the organizers of Thursday night’s fund-raising event. During the event at Restaurante Cristal, Cabral and several other Cape Verdean community leaders endorsed Stewart for mayor."
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Mayor criticized for low profile on power plant
The Enterprise (Brockton) Friday, May 25, 2007
"'The power plant issue needs leadership from the top. It needs to come from our chief elected official. It is concerning that we haven't had that voice from the top on this issue,' said Jass Stewart, an opponent of the power plant and Harrington's mayoral opponent in fall's election."
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Mayoral rematch appears likely
The Boston Globe (Boston) Sunday, February 25, 2007
"Stewart, meanwhile, takes a somewhat different approach. 'Real leadership is about listening honestly to people and not being afraid to change our thinking,' Stewart said. 'Sometimes there is a culture in local government, and not just in Brockton, that government does not expect the best.'"
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Politics is no place for hate
The Enterprise (Brockton) Monday, February 19, 2007
"'The fact that my personal wedding photo is becoming an issue in this campaign is frankly a bit disappointing, because there are major issues facing the city,' Stewart said. 'I am very proud of my family and, like many families, we want a city that works for all of us.' We second that and hope this was the first and last attempt to inject a nonissue into what is shaping up to be a very important contest for the residents of the City of Champions."
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Pressing the flesh
Bay Windows (Boston) Thursday, February 15, 2007
"Okay, we really hate to do this. But in this era, it’s hard not to compare Jass Stewart, who is making his second bid for mayor of Brockton, to Gov. Deval Patrick. Like Patrick, Stewart is a charismatic, progressive political outsider who leveraged themes of hope and renewed civic engagement to win a surprising 44 percent of the vote in the 2005 mayoral election."
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Stewart to make it official; will tout new plan
The Enterprise (Brockton) Wednesday, February 7, 2007
"Stewart plans to announce his candidacy for the 2007 mayoral race on Saturday afternoon at the Shaw's Center on Lexington Avenue, this time with a “five-point plus” plan. The “plus,” he said, is leadership. 'Leadership is so important to move any plan or vision forward,' he said."
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Stewart ready for another campaign
The Enterprise (Brockton) Saturday, January 13, 2007
"A political newcomer two years ago, the city's first black, openly gay candidate for mayor made a strong showing but lost to political insider James E. Harrington. Now, Stewart, 35, said he hopes to build on the support generated during the 2005 race and move forward toward the 2007 election."
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2005 Election Coverage

Jass Stewart for mayor of Brockton
The Enterprise (Brockton) Sunday, November 6, 2005
"The next mayor of Brockton will have to be a visionary -- someone who can handle not only the immediate issues facing the city, but position Brockton to compete for business and industry. It must be someone who lets the city aspire to greatness and inspires residents to become more involved in the political process,” wrote The Enterprise. “The candidate with that vision is Jass Stewart, whom we are pleased to endorse for mayor.”
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Impressed by new candidate for mayor
The Enterprise (Brockton) Thursday, September 22, 2005
This letter is in response to the recent articles on the mayoral race in Brockton. I was not surprised to read that Jass Stewart was impressive with his ideas and plans for our city. I personally met Stewart approximately one month ago. He was in my neighborhood going door to door, meeting the people. This alone impressed me.
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Mayoral candidates face off in first forum
The Enterprise (Brockton) Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Candidates had two minutes to respond to questions, and audience members later identified Stewart and Harrington as the clear frontrunners in the race with several giving Stewart the edge, at least in Monday’s forum. “It seemed Jass Stewart was the standout candidate,” said resident Pat O’Connor. “He was well prepared on every question. He had a clear plan.”
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Signs of politics on city horizon
The Enterprise (Brockton) Sunday, September 4, 2005
"The one-on-one voter contact and the conversations that we have and the ability we have to get the message across outweighs the ability to get it out with signs," Stewart said Friday. “Voters in preliminary elections want substance, not just signs ."
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Pina to work for Stewart in Brockton race
The Enterprise (Brockton) Thursday, July 14, 2005
This year [Frances Pina] will be campaigning for mayoral candidate Jass Stewart. "I can't help but want to be a part of this campaign," Pina said after the meeting. "For 16 years one of his opponents has had ample opportunity to affect change in the city. What are the changes? I haven't seen any ."
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Jass Stewart's vision will bring pride back to Brockton
The Enterprise (Brockton) Wednesday, May 25, 2005
"In 1982, I moved to Brockton with my family and enrolled in Brockton public schools. While Brockton was a wonderful alternative to big-city life, the city couldn't seem to catch up with the people moving in. The quality of education and safety declined, and there was a growing sense of mistrust between different groups of people."
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Change agent
The Boston Globe Magazine (Boston) Sunday, February 13, 2005
"Jass Stewart’s business dealings with city officials and volunteer efforts for civic organizations convinced him there was a disconnection between Brockton's government and its residents. ‘Jass is a new breed of candidate for our city,’ says Dr. Gregg Miller, a Republican who serves on the City Council. ‘He is educated and worldly. He offers a fresh perspective."
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Jass Stewart a viable candidate for mayor
The Enterprise (Brockton) Tuesday, February 8, 2005
"Jan. 25th's town meeting at the public library confirmed that Jass Stewart is a viable and compelling candidate for mayor. The twin pillars on which he can hang his run-for-office hat could well be transparency in conducting all levels of the city's business, and responsiveness of the government to its citizenry. Stewart brings to the table a host of relevant skills and experience as well as conviction for the possibilities of accomplishing changes he has learned that residents want."
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Stewart has big plans for Brockton
The Enterprise (Brockton) Tuesday, February 8, 2005
"The meeting began with polite clapping. By about 7:45 p.m. when mayoral candidate Jass Stewart finished addressing issues and outlining his positive vision for Brockton, the applause was thunderous."
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Brockton man launches bid to be city's first black mayor
Boston Banner (Boston) Thursday, October 7, 2004
Surrounded by friends and supporters, entrepreneur Jass Stewart announces his bid for mayor of the city of Brockton. Stewart, 33, is the first candidate to announce for next year's race. Mayor John Yunits has not said whether he'll run again.
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His run has already begun
Boston Globe South (Boston) Thursday, September 30, 2004
"As a citizen, I'm excited that Jass Stewart is running," said Edna Laurent-Tellus, executive director of Brockton Neighbors United. "I think he could be an excellent mayor for Brockton. He is passionate, he's young, he's very smart. He's the new blood coming in. I believe it's time for change. People come in with new ideas, that's what progress is all about."
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A new face in politics for Brockton
The Enterprise (Brockton) Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Jass Stewart is unlike anyone else who has ever run for mayor of Brockton. He also has big plans for the city he adopted as his new home five years ago - to "insure there's opportunity for all the people in this city."
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Newcomer vows to serve all
The Enterprise (Brockton) Sunday, September 26, 2004
Stewart received standing ovations before, during and after his speech. His partner, Denzil Paul, the couple's adopted son Jajuan, 12, and Stewart's brother, Anthony, stood nearby as he spoke.
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Newcomer hopes to make Brockton history
The Enterprise (Brockton) Saturday, September 25, 2004
"There's a disconnect between the people I've met on the ground and the current administration's focus on serving the select few," Stewart said. "There's too much at stake for us to allow this system to go unfixed." No minority has ever served as the city's mayor and there are no minority members on the City Council.
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Time for new political leaders in Brockton
The Enterprise (Brockton) Saturday, August 28, 2004
Jass Stewart has spent a lot of time asking the right question and listening to people who haven't been asked their opinions before. His stance on the issues in Brockton have gotten me to conceptualize that our local political scene is, not only about the issues like education and crime, it's about the ability of our chosen officials to lead us to the right place.
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Newcomer gearing up for run in Brockton
The Enterprise (Brockton) Monday, May 24, 2004
Stewart, 33, will only say now he is planning a citywide campaign in the next municipal election, in 2005. That could mean mayor or councilor-at-large, but people are assuming a mayoral run. In a telephone interview Sunday, Stewart said his campaign committee was formed "to listen to and explore with the citizens of Brockton how to bring change and a new level of trust in the city."
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Member: School chief search shady
The Enterprise (Brockton) Friday, May 21, 2004
Jass Stewart, part of the Superintendent Screening and Interview Committee, e-mailed The Enterprise this week to say the interview process had been corrupted. "The selection of Brockton's next superintendent has been tainted with what seems to be a skillful campaign to plant seeds of doubt in order to usher in an inside candidate," sad Stewart, the father of a Raymond School fifth-grader.
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