Drew Presents Hundreds of Signatures to Secure His Place on the Ballot For Methuen City Councilor At-Large
Political newcomer John Drew announced that he is officially certified as a candidate for Methuen City Councilor at-large after presenting the City Clerk with 525 nomination signatures - more than 3.5 times the required amount.“I’ve never run for office before, so I didn’t know what to expect when I started talking to neighbors and friends about what we could do to make Methuen better,” said Drew. “I’m so grateful for the overwhelming support.”
Drew and his wife, Caitlin, are Homeowners on Spring Valley Rd. and have an 11 year old son and 3 year old daughter. The first time candidate said it was Methuen’s challenges with school funding that first got him to think of running for office.“I thought the communication with our residents could have been better,” said Drew. “It seemed like even amongst officials, there weren't always constructive discussions. As a Construction professional who works with large budgets every day, I was really hoping cooler heads would prevail.”
Drew, a union plumber by trade and now works as a Sr. Project Manager for multi-million dollar projects, listened to public comments at meetings and watched the frustration on social media grow as Methuen officials often had heated discussions about funding priorities. “Methuen faces critical decisions about growth, affordability, and the successful delivery of city services,“ said Drew. “As City Councilor, I’ll bring practical experience in budgeting, accountability, and leadership, skills that I believe will serve our community well.”
Drew described the recent budget discussion as something that prompted his own deep dive into policy around city spending.“Like a lot of Methuen residents, I’m working class. I know every penny counts for my family, and so every penny we pay to the city needs to be spent with respect for taxpayers in mind,” said Drew. “This means we have to be thinking thoughtfully about budgeting all year long, and not just treat it as a ‘season’.”
Drew’s campaign centers around three core priorities:
Government Integrity and Transparency: “Taxpayers deserve a city government that’s approachable, transparent, and responsive. I’m committed to improving communication and fostering open-door leadership that truly listens.”
Investing in the Next Generation: As a father of two, Drew believes every child in Methuen deserves access to excellent public education. “I’ll advocate for thoughtful, high-ROI in our schools while protecting taxpayer dollars.”
Creating a Thriving, Affordable Methuen: Drew wants to champion economic development that helps keep Methuen livable for working families. “We need to attract jobs and smart growth to stop losing young families,like mine to other communities.”
The Preliminary Election, if needed, will take place on September 16, followed by the General Election on November 4, 2025.
“This campaign is just getting started, but it’s not about me alone. It’s about all of us coming together to contribute to our city’s future,” Drew added. “Let’s roll up our sleeves and build the Methuen we believe in, one resident, one neighborhood, and one step at a time.”
