iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Thank you Somerville for Palestine, Brookline Booksmith, and Center for Arts at the Armory for hosting.

Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Moving evening with Mahmoud Khalil in Somerville, discussing his new book about the time he spent in ICE detention after being illegally abducted from his pregnant wife and incarcerated for over a hundred days, simply for supporting Palestine. He even took the time to support divestment Ordinance ✊

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tim d (he/him) @doormouse12.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

a celebrity endorsement!

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

“This Ordinance is about basic decency and fairness,” said Ben Ewen-Campen, city councilor for Ward 3. “We’ve also unfortunately learned through experience that it is necessary, so that Somerville residents aren’t caught unaware when their building is put up for sale.” csindie.com/property-own...

csindie.com

Property owners must tell their tenants that they are selling under a Somerville law taking effect next month - Cambridge | Somerville Independent

A Somerville law taking effect Oct. 14 requires rental-property owners to tell tenants in writing within 48 hours that they are selling their home.

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ProPublica @propublica.org · 22/09/2026

Sen. Susan Collins helped steer millions in federal defense contracts to Navatek, whose CEO illegally funneled thousands of dollars to her campaign. The FBI sought to launch a probe and was eyeing Collins and other lawmakers. Then Trump gutted the unit in charge. THREAD 🧵

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ProPublica @propublica.org · 22/09/2026

15/ ProPublica is revealing the existence of the case for the first time. We reviewed a trove of evidence gathered by the FBI and thousands of pages of legal records, and have independently corroborated much of Kao’s account. This is the first piece of an ongoing series:

propublica.org

The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way

After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini...

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

But we’ve never been closer than we are now to actually passing TOPA at the State House (well, unless you count the time it already passed but was vetoed by Charlie Baker…). This would be one of the most important housing justice laws passed in MA in my lifetime.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

We drafted and unanimously passed a home rule petition, we testified at the State House, and had important victories along the way with our local 100 Homes Program and the Somerville Community Land Trust.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

which would allows tenants to purchase the building they live in when it goes up for sale, typically in collaboration with a local non-profit.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

“CLOSER THAN EVER.” Just months after being elected to the City Council in 2018, one of the very first community meetings I helped organize was to build community support for the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA)…

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

In case it's useful, here is a simple tool where you can click anywhere on a map of MA and find who the State Rep and State Senator are: benewencampen.github.io/ma-district-...

benewencampen.github.io

Who Represents This Spot? — Massachusetts

Click anywhere in Massachusetts to find the State Representative and State Senator for that location.

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jonlink @jonlink.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Four Somerville households lost their homes in Tuesday's fire on Dartmouth Street. Everyone is safe, but they're starting over with nothing. Clothes, medicine, groceries, a place to sleep. Give what you can to the Homeless Coalition's Emergency Fund: secure.qgiv.com/for/emerfun

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

✨HIRING!✨ Please share with exceptional people you know who are interested in working as a Legislative Aide on Beacon Hill.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Good Q - there is ultimately not going to be any bus stop here (MBTA spacing guidelines has stops at 1,000-1,300 and best option was maintain stop at Boston), let me find out.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I was so happy when the City announced that this location was selected for an Intersection Improvement, and seeing it come to life is amazing. Wide sidewalks, raised crosswalks, protected bike lanes 🙏

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

••IT’S GORGEOUS! Since my first year on the Council we’ve been advocating for a safe crossing and traffic calming on Washington St, in front of the police station, a very busy and dangerous stretch without good crossings.

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Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler @votejivan.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Have you been asked to pay a broker’s fee to rent an apartment this year—after Massachusetts banned forced broker’s fees in 2025? I unfortunately have. Report it! ⬇️ forms.gle/DND8TfeoLbVQ...

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John Tuthill @tuthill.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

A working scientist in the Massachusetts state legislature. Congrats to @benforward3.bsky.social!

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pjkimsantos.bsky.social @pjkimsantos.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Just donated!

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Laura @3deckerlaura.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

i've given! who else is in?

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The UNAFRAID SOMERVILLE SCHOLARSHIP does amazing work supporting young Somerville high students who can’t access normal financial aid due to complicated immigration issues - please join me in donating! essex.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/c...

essex.fcsuite.com

/erp/donate/create/fund

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

2. We approved an "UCH-TIF" zone for parts of Assembly & East Somerville to incentivize new housing development without reducing 20% inclusionary zoning requirement. Creates a pathway for a tax incentives for projects to make housing development more feasible without sacrificing affordable housing.

somervillema.legistar.com

City of Somerville, Massachusetts - File #: 26-0746

Title: Requesting approval of the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Zone, Plan, and Form of Agreement for Assembly Square and East Somerville.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

1. We approved Councilor Lance Davis's amendment that makes zoning for homeless shelters less restrictive. The amendment requires a Neighborhood Meeting but makes shelters an allowable use in most zoning districts of the City by right, and by Special Permit in Neighborhood Residence District. More:

somervillema.legistar.com

City of Somerville, Massachusetts - File #: 26-0835

Title: Proposing an amendment to Section 2.1.1 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Homeless Shelters.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

BACK TO WORK! Last night in Land Use Committee we unanimously recommended approval of two important amendments, both related to housing.

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Chris Dwan (he/him) @somershade.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Ward 2 Councilor @jtforward2.bsky.social is resigning from city council effective Dec 31. There will be a special election for both Ward 2 and Ward 3 to elect people to serve out his and @benforward3.bsky.social’s terms. jtforward2.com/announcing-m...

jtforward2.com

Announcing my Resignation as Ward 2 Councilor

Hello neighbors, I was recruited to run for office in 2017 by tenant rights advocates as a first-time candidate for office and long-time business owner in Union Square. I was a true political outsi…

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JT Scott @jtforward2.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

It has truly been an honor to serve you, and I look forward to continuing our work together. Thank you for your support, your neighborliness, and your trust. I’m so proud to be here in community with you, and I’m excited for what’s ahead – for all of us.

jtforward2.com

Announcing my Resignation as Ward 2 Councilor

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

This will trigger a special election early next year to fill the seat until the 2027 municipal election. We need great candidates to run! If you are thinking about stepping up to run for office, please feel free to reach out, I’m happy to talk.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

WHAT’S NEXT FOR WARD 3. Bittersweet today to send this letter announcing that I’ll be resigning from the City Council at the end of the year in order to take up my new role as State Representative.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I’m serving until the end of 2026 then there will be a special election!

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

The work for a better Massachusetts is never-ending, and I am incredibly fired up to get to work.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

This was a true team effort, with unbelievably inspiring and diverse supporters across our City: friends, colleagues, unions, activists, families at the playground - I am forever grateful for your support and your trust. And obviously my outrageously wonderful wife Alex, the best of the best.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I want to congratulate Olivia Gilligan-Corsetti on running a great campaign. When she called last night to congratulate me, we talked about how much fun we’d had knocking doors and talking to neighbors across Somerville - this was an incredibly positive campaign and I’m grateful that she stepped up.

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

THANK YOU, SOMERVILLE! I am profoundly honored to have earned your support to serve as State Representative in the 27th Middlesex District. Together, we will work for affordable housing, safe streets, great public schools, a fair economy, and a government that is transparent and earns your trust.

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jonlink @jonlink.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Huge congrats to @benforward3.bsky.social, @electerika.bsky.social, @mikeconnollyma.bsky.social, and Will Mbah for their election successes! I'm so thrilled to see what this progressive delegation will accomplish. Somerville is in good hands with this crew.

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Jonathan Cohn @jonathancohn.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Congratulations to @benforward3.bsky.social, the new state rep for the 27th Middlesex district!

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onekade @onekade.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Congrats Rep-elect @benforward3.bsky.social! Excited to work with you at the state house 😎

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

🚨TODAY! Polls are open until 8PM www.somervillema.gov/mysomerville

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Jonathan Cohn @jonathancohn.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Great time canvassing for @benforward3.bsky.social in Somerville this afternoon

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

And speaking of Somerville heroes, here’s more on this collection that the great Tim Devin curates at the Somerville Library: www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/82215

thesomervilletimes.com

Tim Devin: Curator of the New Small Press Collection at the Somerville Public Library

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

🧐FUN FACT: Somerville mensch Jim O’Brien is not only an activist, historian, and editor at publications like Radical America and New England Free Press, but he also donated lots of radical history archives to the Somerville Public Library so anyone can read this fascinating history 1/

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River_Tam @rivertam.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

This is bonkers

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Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Omg what?! 😱

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Ben Ewen-Campen @benforward3.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

🚨The MBTA is planning to discontinue a vital bus route in Somerville: the Route 80 Bus between Lechmere & Powderhouse (see map). This week, Councilor Clingan and I are sponsoring a Resolution calling on the MBTA to reverse this decision. 1/

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