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Boston City Council District 7 race: Miniard Culpepper and Said Ahmed
Miniard Culpepper and Said Ahmed are running to represent District 7 after the arrest and resignation of Tania Fernandes Anderson.
There is no incumbent in the District 7 race. Former Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson resigned earlier this year and was sentenced to one month in prison on public corruption charges.
Find out more about Said Ahmed on his website and social media. Find out more about Miniard Culpepper on his website and social media.
Culpepper did not submit responses to Boston.com.
The following responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
What is the biggest issue facing District 7 residents at the moment and what do you believe the City Council should do to address this?
Ahmed: Right now, the biggest challenge our community faces is the housing crisis. Too many families in Roxbury, Dorchester, the South End, and Fenway are being pushed out of the neighborhoods they have built and loved for generations. Every week, I talk with elders who worry about losing their homes and young families who feel like they will never be able to stay where they grew up. This is tearing at the heart of our community. As City Councilor, I will fight for real tenant protections such as a tenant opportunity to purchase, building more affordable housing on city-owned land, and holding developers accountable when they benefit from public resources. I will also work to expand community land trusts, support first-time homebuyers, and cut through red tape so affordable housing actually gets built. Housing is more than policy, it is about keeping families together and protecting the soul of District 7.
What makes you stand out from the other candidate in this race?
Ahmed: I am not a politician, I am a teacher, coach, and father who has spent over 15 years serving our young people and families. I came to Roxbury as a refugee at 12 years old, and this community gave me a home. I co-founded Boston United Track & Cross Country, the city’s only free youth track program, mentoring hundreds of kids to stay active and focused. My leadership comes from lived experience and deep roots in this neighborhood. I have spent my life bringing people together to solve problems, and I will bring that same hands-on, community driven leadership to City Hall.
Do you think the public has lost faith in the City Council in recent years? If so, what do you think should be done to improve the Council’s public image?
Ahmed: Absolutely, too many of our community feel like City Hall has stopped listening. Neighbors tell me they do not feel heard or seen, that decisions are being made without them. People are not asking for politics, they are asking for results they can feel in their daily lives. To rebuild that trust, we need to bring City Hall back to the community. As City Councilor, I will hold regular town halls across Roxbury, Dorchester, the South End, and Fenway so residents can speak directly about what is working and what is not. I will open a community office right here in the district so people can walk in, get help, and know their voices matter. We need to communicate honestly and in the many languages that are spoken across this district. Above all, we need to listen and follow through.
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