Brookline Town Election — May 5, 2026
Brookline voters head to the polls on Tuesday, May 5 (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; early voting begins April 25) to decide several contested races and a major property tax override question. The ballot includes two Select Board seats, three School Committee seats, Library Trustees, a Housing Authority seat, and Town Meeting races across all precincts.
The Override: $23.25 Million
The headline item is a $23.25M Proposition 2½ override that the Select Board voted to place on the ballot as a single-tiered question. Of that total, roughly $17.94 million would go to the public schools and $5.31 million to town departments, spread over three fiscal years. The stakes are high. Superintendent Bella Wong has said the district would need to eliminate more than 210 positions over three years without an override, including cuts to middle school world language courses. Other potential cuts include eliminating the majority of music programs, reducing first-grade classroom aides, and increasing high school teacher workloads. If it ends up on the ballot at the full amount, it would be the largest override request in Massachusetts history by nearly $10 million. The Select Board approved putting the override on the ballot 4-0, with member John VanScoyoc abstaining. VanScoyoc had argued in favor of giving voters a tiered choice rather than a single up-or-down vote.
Select Board: Three Candidates, Two Seats
The race for Brookline's five-member executive body is contested, with three candidates competing for two open seats:
John VanScoyoc (incumbent) — A former journalist who has served on the Select Board since 2020. He is running on a platform of experience and independence, emphasizing fiscal balance on the override, commercial tax base growth through projects like Chestnut Hill West, and affordability for taxpayers. He has endorsements from Select Board Chair Bernard Greene, Vice Chair David Pearlman, Select Board member Paul Warren, and multiple School Committee members.
Amanda Zimmerman — A neuroscientist with a doctorate in bioengineering and a co-founder of Brookline for Everyone, an influential housing advocacy organization launched in 2020. She has served on several town committees and is running on a platform focused on climate action, safe streets, revenue diversification, and housing production. She emphasizes moving Brookline from planning to execution.
Anthony Buono — A 26-year-old Town Meeting member and data management consultant who entered the race shortly before the filing deadline, saying that an uncontested race "seemed wrong." He is a former Advisory Committee member and past president of the Town Meeting Members Association. His platform focuses on financial stability (protecting Brookline's AAA bond rating), expanding the commercial tax base to reduce reliance on overrides, roadway safety, and senior services.
School Committee: Four Candidates, Three Seats
Two incumbent School Committee members — Andy Liu and Mariah Nobrega — announced they would not seek reelection, opening up the field. Three seats are on the ballot, with four candidates running:
Suzanne Federspiel (incumbent) — The longest-serving current member with nine years on the committee, including stints as Chair and Vice Chair. A career educator and former school principal, she is running on continued fiscal stewardship, supporting Superintendent Bella Wong, curriculum development, and racial justice and equity in decision-making.
Laura Baines-Walsh — An educator, parent, and seven-year Town Meeting member. Her priorities include establishing clear educational goals and benchmarks, cell phone and technology policies in schools, strengthening the middle school experience, and meeting the needs of all students including those in special education.
Aylit Schultz — A nephrologist and 20-year Brookline resident making her first run for the committee. She has endorsements from current School Committee members Bob Weintraub, Danna Perry, and Carolyn Thall. She is running on academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, evidence-based decision-making, and community trust-building.
Faiza Khan — The Director of Mathematics for the Medford Public Schools and a parent of four Brookline school graduates who has lived in town since 2000. She is focused on fiscal transparency, strengthening the partnership between schools and families, and keeping students at the center of decision-making.
Precinct 1 Town Meeting: Five Candidates, Five Seats
The Precinct 1 Town Meeting race will be uncontested, with exactly five candidates running for five seats. Four of the five incumbents are seeking reelection. Rui Albuquerque is not running for another term. Notably, Select Board member Paul Warren — who is not running for reelection to the Select Board — will run for a Town Meeting seat in Precinct 1.
Key Dates
- Early voting: April 25 – May 2
- Election Day: Tuesday, May 5, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Voter guide: from the League of Women Voters of Brookline expected the week of April 6
For full election information, visit the Town Clerk's website.