Veteran community leader John DesCoteaux and Marcos Candido, both vying to represent District 8 on the Lowell City Council, take part in an in-depth and occasionally spirited discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing the Upper Highlands and the wider city.
Descoteaux Endorsed by LSAA!
I’m truly honored to share that the Lowell Schools Administrators Association (LSAA) has officially endorsed my candidacy in the upcoming Primary Election on Tuesday, September 9th.
As many of you know, I spent my career in the Lowell Public Schools and was proud to serve alongside LSAA members for many years. Just this past June, I made the motion at City Council to restore $2 million of the $4 million that had been cut from the School Department’s FY2026 budget. Because of that vote, no LSAA members lost their jobs.
The LSAA does not typically endorse candidates for office, so I am deeply grateful for their confidence and support.
If you live in the 8th District (Highlands) — or know family and friends who do — I’d be honored if you encouraged them to get out and vote for me in the primary. Every voice and every vote truly matters.
Thank you for standing with me and for continuing to believe in strong schools for all of Lowell.
Sincerely,
John
Read the original post at the Committe to Re-Elect John Descoteaux facebook page.
Lowell, Massachusetts: From Industrial Heritage to Innovation Hub
With insights from Lowell’s leaders—among them District 8 City Councilman John Decoteaux—this video celebrates the city’s resilience and its vision for the future
Want to show your support for John? Join us on election day to hold a sign at one of the two district 8 polling locations. Please sign up below to hold a sign for John!
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My name is John G. Descoteaux, and I’m proud to call the Upper Highlands section of Lowell my home. I graduated from Lowell High School and went on to earn my degree in Business Administration from UMass Lowell, with a focus on Management Information Systems.
My career has been built on hard work and leadership in the transportation industry. I spent 13 years with Belmont Springs Water Company, working my way up to Regional Vice President overseeing transportation across Eastern and Central Massachusetts. After five years with First Student Bus Company, I returned to serve my hometown as Transportation Director for the Lowell Public Schools, a role I was honored to hold for 18 years.
Community service has always been a priority for me. I’ve had the privilege of serving 10 years as Chair of the Lowell License Commission and 17 years as Treasurer for the Team Micky Ward Charities. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to giving back to the city that has given me so much.
I’m running for reelection to represent District 8, Upper Highlands, because I believe in a city government that is efficient, accountable, and connected to the people it serves.
Lowell faces challenges unlike any of our neighboring towns—and I’ve seen them firsthand as Transportation Director for the Lowell Public Schools. I’ve seen families without stable housing, children with special needs sent far from the city for services, and parents struggling to afford a warm winter coat. I’ve also seen the inequities our 79% non-white school population faces when competing for funding that wealthier, majority-white communities receive more easily.
These experiences drive my commitment to public service. On the City Council, I will continue working to understand the root causes of these challenges and fight for solutions that make Lowell stronger, fairer, and better for all.
We are a nation guided by the rule of law, where all people and institutions are accountable. Government’s purpose is to create and enforce laws, provide essential services, maintain the economy, and protect its citizens.
The Lowell City Council has three key responsibilities:
Hire the city manager, city clerk, and city auditor
Approve the city budget
Pass laws
It is not the role of the Council to manage the city’s daily operations—that is the responsibility of the city manager. If reelected, I will remain focused on long-term priorities that move Lowell forward, rather than the minutiae that can slow government down.
My long-term priorities for Lowell are:
Economic development and sustainability through initiatives like Lowell Forward and Frontrunner
Improved housing opportunities and a reduction in homelessness
Safe neighborhoods with a focus on reducing gun violence
While the needs of District 8 are always my top concern, our district thrives when these citywide priorities are addressed and improved for all.