John Moran: When a South End Neighbor is Your State Representative
Interviewed by Irwin Levy, Friends of Titus Sparrow Park Board Member
In this Community Corner, I profile John Moran, Massachusetts State Representative for Suffolk’s Ninth District and, just as importantly, a longtime South End neighbor. John brings a strong commitment to constituent services and community engagement, but his connection to the neighborhood goes beyond his role as a State Representative. For more than two decades, John and his husband, Michael, have called Concord Square home, making his commitment to the community both professional and personal.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve run into my neighbor John Moran. In a local store. At a coffee shop. Walking his dog.
Please note, this doesn’t include seeing Representative John Moran on a Southwest Corridor Walk with the police discussing safety, at the Saint Botolph Neighborhood Association’s annual meeting, or at a board meeting for the Friends of Titus Sparrow Park. This illustrates just how omnipresent, how visible John is within our community, blurring the personal and professional line, in a good way.
From Northeastern Pennsylvania to the South End
John and his husband, Michael, have lived in the South End for 27 years, the last 20 on Concord Square. Not a Boston lifer, John was raised in northeastern Pennsylvania, in the small town of Clifford, PA, 25 miles outside of Scranton.
It was there that John observed community service firsthand, from his mother and stepfather.
“My mom was active in our church, Meals on Wheels. My stepdad was elected tax collector, a position he held for years. I have my own memories of working at Clifford’s Annual Picnic for the volunteer firefighters. Working at the booth, flipping burgers.”
A Career Before Politics
While attending Earlham College, John spent two summers working for the NYC Commission for the United Nations on a baseball exchange program between Japan and the United States.
Upon graduating in 1989 with a degree in Japanese studies and a minor in economics, John worked for the Japanese government as a coordinator of international relations. Attaining a master’s degree from the Fletcher School at Tufts brought John to Boston.
John had a long career outside of politics, working for GTech Holdings, Biogen, Bose, and, for over 20 years, Liberty Mutual in various roles, including commercial underwriting, Director of Strategic Planning, and Chief of Staff for the head of International Human Resources.
“Being Chief of Staff taught me about building coalitions, and being a facilitator, valuable skills to have as a State Representative.”
John maintained an interest in politics during his business career, working on Robert Reich’s gubernatorial campaign and Pete for America, in support of Pete Buttigieg’s run for president.
From Community Engagement to the State House
In 2021, John joined then City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson’s Citizen Advisory Council, and a year later, the Alliance for Downtown Civic Organizations.
When Jon Santiago, the State Representative from Suffolk’s Ninth District, resigned in 2023 to become Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services, John ran for the seat and won a special election. He was reelected in 2024 and is running for reelection in 2026, this time unopposed.
Suffolk’s Ninth District covers much of the South End, Saint Botolph, Lower Roxbury, Dorchester’s Polish Triangle, and Newmarket. John describes his three key roles as constituent services, policy, and community engagement, which he tackles with the help of his Legislative Aide, Connor Finn, a West Roxbury resident who also produces John’s newsletters, videos, and social media.
The communities John represents all have active Neighborhood Associations and are in constant contact with the office. John explains:
“Part of my role is to amplify the efforts these residents make. I’m also fortunate to have strong working relationships with my colleagues at both the city and state level. We often have complimentary skill sets, enabling us to work effectively together. In fact, their skills amplify mine, and work to serve our constituents in common more effectively.”
John speaks specifically about working closely with City Councilors Flynn, FitzGerald, and Culpepper, who each represent a portion of the South End, and at the state level with Representative Aaron Michlewitz, the chair of the Ways and Means Committee, who also represents a portion of the South End, and Senator Nick Collins.
Serving the Community
The issues range from public housing and senior services to the upcoming rehabilitation of the Hotel Alexandra and, of course, the ongoing challenges presented by Mass and Cass.
Working with both State Representative Michlewitz and Senator Collins, John brought back $4.5 million earmarked for Mass and Cass.
I asked John what his favorite parts of the job were, and his answer came quickly.
“Helping people with the small things. Securing unemployment benefits. A permit enabling a local barbershop to open.”
It’s also important to represent non-homeowners, renters, and Boston Housing Authority (BHA) housing residents. Affordable housing is another key issue for John.
“The housing crisis is very acute in this district. In some cases, some of the wealthiest people and some of the poorest people in the state live less than one mile apart. The income disparity is overwhelming.”
A Community That Shows Up
John is particularly happy about what he sees as some increasing involvement of younger people.
“I see it, of course, at Titus Sparrow Park, and at Ringgold. I love the Stoop Socials, which usually happen at the end of a workday, encouraging widespread participation.”
It isn’t easy to switch gears and change your path by leaving a profession you knew and did well for decades for something entirely unknown. I asked John to describe it, and he summarized it succinctly:
“It is next stage rewarding to do this.”
We would agree, John. And our gratitude goes beyond your work representing our district.
Thank you, most of all, for being our neighbor.
John Moran and Irwin Levy
John Moran is helping strengthen the South End community through thoughtful representation, community engagement, and a genuine commitment to being present for his constituents. His work extends beyond the State House, reflected in the relationships he has built with neighborhood organizations, local leaders, and the people who call the South End home. And perhaps just as importantly, John’s commitment to the community is personal. He is not only our State Representative, but our neighbor, walking the same streets, showing up at the same gatherings, and sharing in the life of the neighborhood he represents.
Thank you for reading Community Corner. More stories highlighting the people who make the South End and St. Botolph such a special community are coming soon.
— Irwin Levy, Board Member, Friends of Titus Sparrow Park
