Fall River's 42nd Mayor is running again — because the greatest days of this city aren't behind us, they're still ahead. Safe streets. Strong neighborhoods. Real economic growth.
Will Flanagan is a lifelong son of Fall River. He grew up here, graduated from Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in 1998, earned his degree at UMass Dartmouth, and returned home after earning his law degree at Roger Williams University School of Law.
He began his career as an Assistant District Attorney for Bristol County, fighting for victims and standing up for our neighborhoods. In 2009, at just 29 years old, he was elected the 42nd Mayor of Fall River — the youngest in city history — and was re-elected twice by wide margins, including a 69% landslide in 2013 that took every one of the city's 29 precincts.
Now Will is running for Mayor of Fall River again — because the greatest days of this city are still ahead, and it's time to get back to work.
In Will's own words — to the workers, the seniors, the small business owners, the police officers and firefighters, the teachers and nurses, and every young person wondering if their future is here.
This isn't about me. This is about our city.
It's about every family working hard to pay the bills. Every senior who built this city. Every small business owner opening their doors before sunrise. Every police officer, firefighter, teacher, nurse, and city worker who keeps Fall River moving.
And every young person wondering if their future is here — I'm here to tell you that it is.
Because I believe with every fiber of my being that the greatest days of Fall River are not behind us. They're still ahead of us.
This city has been knocked down before. We've lost our mills. We've endured economic hardship. But one thing has never changed — the people of Fall River never quit.
For years we've heard promises. Promises about jobs. About safer neighborhoods. About city government working for everyone. Now it's time for something different. It's time for results.
That's why I'm running for Mayor again — because I know Fall River can do better, and I know together we can build it.
“How do we make Fall River better today than it was yesterday?”
“The greatest days of Fall River are not behind us. They're still ahead of us.”
Not a hundred talking points. Three real anchors — the ones every resident, in every neighborhood, will feel.
Because nothing matters more than protecting our families. Support for our police, the equipment our firefighters need, and safer neighborhoods in every corner of the city.
Because every neighborhood deserves investment — not just a select few. Cleaner streets. Parks families can enjoy. Dignity for our seniors. A City Hall that answers the phone.
Good-paying jobs. New housing. Thriving small businesses. The new commuter rail, a working waterfront, and Fall River as the best place in Southeastern Massachusetts to start a business and raise a family.
Small businesses shouldn't have to fight City Hall. Developers who want to invest should have a partner — not an obstacle. Families deserve parks they can enjoy. Seniors deserve dignity. Police deserve support. Firefighters deserve equipment. Taxpayers deserve accountability.
Will Flanagan has already delivered for Fall River — on public safety, on jobs, on schools, and in every neighborhood from the Flint to the Highlands to the South End.
Elected at age 29 — the youngest mayor in Fall River history — and re-elected twice.
Re-elected with a decisive citywide mandate, winning every one of Fall River's 29 precincts.
Secured with Senator Ed Markey to hire or rehire 10 Fall River Police officers.
Ordered a Fall River Police officer at the entrance of every public school in the city — one of the first mayors in Massachusetts to act.
Advanced the Life-Science & Technology Park and UMass Dartmouth Biomanufacturing Center to bring 21st-century jobs home.
From the Flint to the Highlands to the South End — a mayor who shows up personally in every neighborhood, not just the ones that vote hardest.
Fall River is a city built by generations of Portuguese, Irish, French-Canadian, Cape Verdean, Lebanese, and Latino families — and Will Flanagan has been showing up in every one of those neighborhoods his whole life.
A family in the Flint. A small business owner on Columbia Street. A grandmother in the South End. Will shows up, sits down, and listens — and then he acts. Every neighborhood deserves a mayor who knows their name.
“When a neighborhood succeeds, we all succeed. When a business opens, we all win. When a child succeeds, our city succeeds.”
With neighbors at a Portuguese-American community celebration
“This campaign isn't about Republicans. It isn't about Democrats. It isn't about who you voted for yesterday. It's about who we're fighting for tomorrow.”
Let's restore pride. Let's create opportunity. Let's build a city our children won't want to leave — but will be proud to call home. Let's make government honest, accountable, and finally make it work.
Sign up to volunteer, host a sign, knock on doors, or just stay in the loop. Every neighbor makes this campaign stronger.
Have a question, an idea for the city, or want to invite Will to your block? Send us a note.
