Maria Perez, 73, seeks third term on Springfield City Council, facing 28-year-old challenger Joesiah Gonzalez amid controversy over her nonprofit board termination.

Maria Perez, 73, is seeking a third term on Springfield’s City Council for Ward 1, citing over $100 million in development funding secured during her two previous terms. She faces challenger Joesiah Gonzalez, 28, a former School Committee member and housing nonprofit executive, amid controversy over Perez’s July termination from a nonprofit board, which she denies and is fighting in court. A press release alleging misconduct was retracted after being linked to Gonzalez. Perez emphasizes youth crime prevention, converting vacant buildings into affordable housing, and downtown development through public-private partnerships, pointing to job-creating projects at the former Eastfield Mall. Gonzalez advocates for rent stabilization, accountability for landlords, expanded homebuyer programs, and using PILOTs to fund services without raising taxes, positioning himself as a results-driven candidate with direct housing experience.