Candidates Make the Case for Governor’s Council

August 6, 2024
• An attorney, a licensed social worker and an associate probation officer are running for a vacant seat on the Governor’s Council, an oft-overlooked board that makes weighty decisions.

Three of the four Democratic candidates for the council — including one Needhamite — shared insight into their campaigns and backgrounds during a League of Women Voters forum Monday afternoon.

Tamisha Civil, Muriel Kramer and David Reservitz participated in the virtual event, but the fourth Democratic contender, Sean Murphy, did not attend due to a scheduling conflict, according to the League. Sole Republican candidate Francis Crimmins Jr. was also unable to participate.

The Governor’s Council is an eight-person board tasked with approving gubernatorial appointments of judges and parole board members, as well as pardons and commutations. The open two-year seat is for District 2, which represents more than 30 municipalities, including Needham. All seven current members of the council are Democrats.

The primary election is Sept. 3, and the general election is Nov. 5.

Civil’s introduction to the judicial system began 30 years ago, when her cousin was wrongfully imprisoned for a murder he did not commit. While he remained behind bars, Tamisha Civil worked in trial court and currently assists people reenter society as an associate probation officer.

Her cousin spent 27 years in prison before being exonerated in 2021, and Civil said she feels a responsibility “to stand against injustice [and] to be a voice for change.”

For Kramer, her bid for Governor’s Council comes after her public service for Hopkinton, where she served on the Select Board and Planning Board. But it’s her background as a clinical social worker that inspires her to “be an advocate for those who’ve been historically marginalized and disadvantaged in the legal system,” she said.

Kramer is also a U.S. Air Force veteran who now works in healthcare consulting.

Reservitz, a trial attorney who lives in Needham, started his career in the prosecutor’s office before moving to the public defender’s side. While on the Judicial Nominating Commission — a position he was appointed to by former Gov. Deval Patrick — Reservitz helped vet judges at the beginning of the process before they got to the Governor’s Council.

A seat on the council, in that regard, would be a return to form for Reservitz, who said the process is “something I’m truly passionate about.” If elected, he said he would not support a candidate who opposes a woman’s right to choose.

All three candidates stressed the power the council wields in appointing judges to Massachusetts courts, and both Reservitz and Civil cited their personal experience working alongside judges in the courtroom.

“I see on a daily basis how these judges affect people’s lives, whether it be a family coming in begging for help on a substance abuse or mental health issue. Those are probably two of the more important issues for me,” Reservitz said. “We’re all human beings, we all have families.”

Putting the offense — and the offender — in context is vital to ensuring fairness and justice within the system, Kramer and Civil said, with Kramer noting how people of color are incarcerated at far higher rates than their counterparts.

The beliefs and ideologies of nominees should reflect those of District 2’s constituents, Civil said. In the council’s 244-year history, there has never been a Democratic woman of color, Civil said.

“We need to make sure we have representation,” Civil said, “and we need to make sure that, when we have a [representative] council, that we’re opening the doors for other judicial nominees that have experience with communities of color, that have experience with women’s issues and women’s rights, that have the experience of knowing the amount of pain and suffering that the LGBTQ community has been going through.”

In selecting Parole Board candidates, Kramer highlighted her background in social work and focus on restorative justice. Connecting to housing, food and job resources poses a challenge for those entering parole, Kramer said, and if elected, she would look for candidates with “a really constructive and positive outlook” for those recently incarcerated.

“I’m going to be looking for people who really understand the needs of the reentering population, returning citizens, and how they can help bridge that gap and help folks be successful reentering the community,” Kramer said.

Kramer said Massachusetts should work toward limiting the number of people incarcerated, as well as addressing bias and racism in judicial decisions. Treatment for mental illness and substance use should also be more effectively implemented, she added.

The candidates agreed on increasing transparency and accessibility to the Governor’s Council by posting its rules and policies. The change would help the council who, in Reservitz’s view, “has not always enjoyed, frankly, the best reputation.” Kramer said she believes the council should take even stronger action by recording their votes online and reporting on their interviews with candidates. Civil suggested harnessing the power of social media to share information and “open up the communication barrier.”

When it comes to their possible pursuit for higher office, all three reiterated their commitment to the Governor’s Council specifically, though Civil said she “can’t foresee the future.” Civil previously ran for state representative in the 6th Norfolk District in 2022, losing in the Democratic primary.

Appointing qualified judges will “ensure that what happened to my cousin does not happen to any other families” in Massachusetts, Civil said. She also looked back on the history of the council, stressing the need to “make HERstory.”

While Reservitz intends to hold office for 20 years to deepen his connection within District 2, Kramer said she believes the position should not be a “decades-long” one. Turnover is vital, Kramer added, but clarified she would serve for several terms if elected by the community.

“I think that that brings energy and vitality to any board, commission or organization,” Kramer said.

For Reservitz, who has never run for political office, he feels this position is uniquely suited for him.

“I’m a lawyer. This is all I want to do. This is all I’ve ever wanted to do,” he said.

To watch the full forum, visit needhamchannel.org. The next scheduled League of Women Voters forum will be between the two candidates for register of deeds on Aug. 15 at 4 p.m. on Zoom.