John Oliveira Will Not Seek Re-Election to School Committee

Another member of the New Bedford School Committee says he will not seek re-election this fall.

John Oliveira told WBSM's Brian Thomas on Saturday he has bought a home in Maine and is moving there once he closes on the property.

Oliveira said he is fed up with the political climate in Massachusetts and New Bedford, and is moving to a place "where his conservative views will be respected."

Oliveira claimed local voters keep electing the same people over and over again and he's frustrated.

"The people of this community have no desire to see a change in their political establishment, they don't want to get involved, and we have a ridiculously low number of registered voters in this community," he said. "It is disgusting, it is embarrassing and it's what makes government bad."

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Oliveira also added that no one should be allowed to serve more than two terms in any elected office.

LISTEN: John Oliveira reveals he is leaving New Bedford to move to Maine.

Oliveira frequently clashed with Mayor Jon Mitchell and other committee members during public meetings, and in February 2020, Oliveira was effectively censured by the mayor and school committee after a series of verbal outbursts and vulgar language at committee meetings.

Oliveira is the second committee member to announce they were not running for re-election.  Josh Amaral said last month he was leaving the committee after serving eight years to concentrate on his administrative position with PACE, New Bedford's anti-poverty agency, and to spend more time with his family. Amaral is getting married in October.