I’ve known Sean Reardon for about 10 years and have had the privilege of serving alongside him on the Newburyport School Committee for eight of those. I like to joke that Sean and I are “friends in real life,” but that friendship is grounded in years of seeing firsthand how he works, listening carefully, doing his homework, and following through on what he says he’ll do.
When Sean first told me he was running for mayor four years ago, I didn’t hesitate to support him. He’s a lifelong Newburyporter who understands this city’s character, its history, its people, and its values, while also having a clear vision for its future. That combination of respect for where we’ve been and focus on where we’re going is something rare, and it’s exactly what our city has needed.
Sean’s first term has been a clear demonstration of what effective, steady leadership looks like. From transforming Market Landing Park into a more accessible and vibrant public space, to paving more than 60 city streets, completing the Pioneer Field traffic safety improvements, and pushing forward the Brown School project — he’s delivered on the kinds of projects that make a tangible difference in people’s daily lives.
He’s also shown real courage and fiscal responsibility in leading Newburyport and nine neighboring communities to stand up against the original Whittier Tech proposal, not simply to say “no,” but to work together toward a more sustainable, better-planned alternative that serves students and taxpayers alike. That’s leadership that takes both backbone and collaboration.
And when it came to the Recreation Center, after years of delays and uncertainty, Sean brought people together and reignited community support for getting it done. 61% of residents voted in favor of a debt exclusion to fund it, which speaks volumes about how he engages with and earns the trust of the community.
As I look forward to serving as Ward 3 City Councilor, I’m genuinely excited to continue the work of moving Newburyport forward, together with a mayor who listens, leads with integrity, and keeps the city’s best interests at heart. Sean Reardon has proven himself as a mayor who gets things done, and I look forward to what we can all accomplish together in his second term.
Brian Callahan
Newburyport School Committee
City Council Ward 3 Candidate