New Bedford City Council Elects Burgo as 2025 President

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Just three years after he was first sworn in as New Bedford City Councilor at Large, Shane Burgo has risen to the council presidency. As he assumed control of the gavel, Burgo invoked the city’s motto of Lucem Diffundo, Latin for “I diffuse light.”

“It’s always had a special meaning to me,” Burgo said. “It’s more than just words on a seal. It’s a promise.”

“I will lead with the same light, ensuring it reaches every corner of our city,” he said. “We will work to make sure no one is left in the shadows.”

Burgo, who was the second-highest vote-getter in the last council election back in 2023, made no secret that he was seeking the council presidency.

Burgo’s potential presidency was not without controversy, however, given his well-known progressive politics and after having floated ideas during his tenure such as rent stabilization and a so-called “tent city” to house the homeless.

While Burgo never formally proposed any of those ideas – instead, he only sought, in his capacity as chair of the council’s Special Committee on Affordable Housing and Homeless Affairs, to have discussions about such ideas – that didn’t stop his critics from decrying what a Burgo presidency could mean to the city.

In recent weeks, Ward 1 Councilor Leo Choquette made it known that he would nominate Ward 3 Councilor Shawn Oliver as president, igniting a true contest for the big chair.

During Monday night’s organizational meeting, Ward 2 Councilor Maria Giesta nominated Burgo for the presidency, with Ward 6 Councilor Ryan Pereira seconding. Choquette then rose to nominate Oliver, with Ward 5 Councilor Joe Lopes seconding.

Prior to the roll call vote, Pereira and Choquette both spoke on behalf of their chosen candidates, but it was the words of the longest-serving city councilor, Brian Gomes, that stood out.

Gomes said he “had never seen anything” like this year’s race for the council presidency, referring to the divisiveness in recent weeks as a “disease in this building.”

He called out New Bedford Light columnist Jack Spillane as “fake news” for his recent column on the council presidency race and referenced “radio station moderators” – no doubt referring to WBSM’s Chris McCarthy, who openly campaigned on his show for citizens to call their councilors and encourage them to vote for Oliver over Burgo – when giving his impassioned speech.

“The radio station moderators do not run this city council. The people of the city run this city council,” Gomes said. “What has transpired on the radio is sick.”

When the vote was taken, it was 7-4 in favor of Burgo, with Councilors Ian Abreu, Choquette, Lopes and Oliver voting for Oliver to assume the presidency.

Gomes then said that in the spirit of cooperation, he was asking for a unanimous vote to elect Burgo as council president, and this time, Abreu and Lopes both voted yes, with Choquette and Oliver as the only no votes.

In his acceptance speech, Burgo called the council presidency “an honor I will carry with humility and a profound sense of duty.”

Burgo, who is of Cape Verdean heritage, also noted how Gomes was the first Cape Verdean president of the city council and praised Gomes for his kind words and leadership.

Listen to Burgo's appearance on The Tim Weisberg Show the morning following his election to the council presidency:

“This is a full circle moment that fills me with immense pride and gratitude,” Burgo said.