Sharon Durkan proudly serves as the Boston City Councilor for District 8, representing the neighborhoods of Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway, Audubon Circle, Kenmore, Mission Hill, and the West End. She was elected in July 2023 and has made it her mission to bring city government closer to the people it serves, one issue, one block, and one neighbor at a time.

A renter and longtime Beacon Hill resident, Sharon has lived in the district for 10 years. She knows firsthand the challenges that come with navigating city life, from rising housing costs to cracked sidewalks. That lived experience continues to guide her work every day, whether she is fighting for more affordable housing, advocating for stronger tenant protections, or working to fix the bricks beneath our feet.

As Chair of the Council’s Committees on Planning, Development, and Transportation and COVID-19 Recovery, Sharon is focused on making the city better for everyone — from ensuring that once-in-a-lifetime recovery funds are spent wisely, to pushing for housing and infrastructure that reflect the needs of residents today and in the future. She believes that planning should be inclusive and community-driven, and that public dollars should deliver real impact in people’s lives. She has led sidewalk audits, pushed for accessible infrastructure, introduced new ideas around public health and licensing, and fought for zoning changes that make it easier to build housing in Boston. She is known for her collaborative style, hands-on approach, and commitment to getting the small things right, because those are often the things that matter most.

Sharon grew up in rural North Georgia, raised by working-class parents who taught her the value of hard work, showing up, and following through. Her early years were shaped by her family’s struggles with mental illness and substance use, and she was deeply influenced by her grandfather, a Spanish immigrant who stepped in as a steady, loving presence. He passed away this year, but his example of community service and civic pride continues to guide her work.

She brought those values with her to Smith College, where she became the first in her family to graduate from college. As a student, she organized for climate action and educational access, serving as President of the Smith College Democrats and Vice President of the College Democrats of Massachusetts. After graduating with a degree in Government, she moved to Boston and got to work.

Before joining the Council, Sharon worked as a community organizer, a small business owner, and a Democratic Party leader. In 2019, she was elected Chair of the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee, where she brought new energy to local politics and helped build coalitions across generations and neighborhoods. That grassroots experience continues to shape how she leads, grounded in listening, persistence, and a belief that government should make life better for the people it serves.

Now, as a City Councilor, Sharon is proud of what her district has accomplished together. From securing $1 million in federal funding for affordable housing in Beacon Hill to saving the Mission Hill Post Office from closure, and pushing for smarter development and safer streets, she has worked to turn community concerns into meaningful action. Whether she is hosting coffee hours in every neighborhood, collaborating with city departments to address public safety, or dropping a hockey puck at a local school, her love of the people of District 8 and enthusiasm shine through.

Sharon believes public service should be rooted in care, and that real change is built through steady, consistent work. She is running for re-election to keep doing just that. Because District 8 is worth the effort, and our communities deserve a City Hall that does more than listen. It should deliver.