In her own words: Eunice Zeigler, candidate for Governor's Council

Eunice Delice Zeigler of Methuen is one of two candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot for Governor's Council in the 5th District, which includes Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea. The Democrat, first elected in 2024, faces Republican William Falcetano of Gloucester.

The Governor's Council is an eight member elected board that votes on the governor's nominations of judges, clerk magistrates and parole board members, and on pardons and commutations. Councilors serve two year terms.

The Cape Ann Current sent Governor's Council candidates the same questionnaire with the same deadline, 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. Zeigler's responses appear below in quotation marks, as she wrote them. The Current reports each candidate's positions and does not endorse anything a candidate says. The Current could not find contact information for Falcetano to send him the questionnaire; if he gets in touch, we will publish his answers the same way. Both candidates appear on our Governor's Council race page, and you can read the exact questions every candidate received.

Campaign website: eunicezeigler.com

About the candidate, in her words

“I am a dedicated public servant, wife, mother and homeowner who has spent my career working to make government accessible, transparent, and accountable.

“I am running for the Governor’s Council to bring integrity and transparency to our judicial confirmation process. My focus is expanding representation on the bench, so it truly reflects our 5th District communities and delivers the justice our residents deserve.”

On the issues

Cape Ann. What is the most important thing you would do in this office for Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea?

“As a candidate for the Governor's Council representing Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and 32 other communities, I serve as your eyes and ears on judicial and parole appointments that impact Cape Ann’s safety and quality of life.

“If re-elected, I will ensure our judicial appointments reflect the values of our unique coastal communities through active engagement:

“Regional Accountability: I will hold regular public meetings across Cape Ann so residents can ask questions about judicial nominees and share their vision for our courts.

“Prioritizing Local Impact: I will continue evaluating how nominees' philosophies affect Cape Ann, balancing public safety and rehabilitation.

“Transparency: I will share the rationale behind my votes so you can see how my decisions align with local priorities.

“My goal is to ensure ‘the people's seat’ truly serves the 5th District.”

First priority. What is your first priority if elected, and how will voters know whether you delivered?

“The Governor's Council is ‘the people's seat.’ This district needs leadership that is willing to be a strong, independent voice. If re-elected, my primary focus will be to expand representation on the state bench to ensure it reflects the people of the 5th District.

“I have a track record of delivering results for voters. I have voted to confirm over 50 diverse, experienced, and community-oriented legal professionals to serve in courts across the Commonwealth. I have also hosted regular public forums — my Pathways to the Bench series—to demystify the Council's work and outline the steps to becoming a judge, with over 300 leaders participating.

“Accountability to me means constant communication; you will continue to see me across the district listening to your concerns before I head to the State House to vote on your behalf.”

The nine ballot questions

Each candidate was asked for a position on every statewide question, with an optional one sentence reason. Her reasons appear in her words.

Question 1, Public records for the Legislature and Governor: Yes. “This proposed law would enhance transparency and eliminate the current exemption from the existing public records law of records held by the governor’s office and the Legislature.”

Question 2, Union rights for public defender staff: Yes. “CPCS lawyers are underpaid professionals who handle the cases of criminal defendants who cannot afford to pay a lawyer; this proposed law would allow employees of the MA Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) to form a union.”

Question 3, One open primary, top two advance: No. “This proposed law would eliminate separate party primaries for state elections, instead putting all primary candidates on one ballot regardless of party affiliation.”

Question 4, Register to vote on Election Day: Yes. “This proposed law would increase voter participation by making it easier to vote by allowing residents to register to vote and to update their voter registration address on election days; a resource that 21 other states provide.”

Question 5, New cap on state tax revenue: No. “This proposed law would require that if state revenue grows over a certain limit it must be refunded, a practice that will reduce the state’s ability to support the programs and investments that are needed to maintain a healthy Commonwealth.”

Question 6, Nature for All Fund: Yes. “This proposed law would establish a ‘Nature for All Fund’ and divert roughly $100 million a year of existing sales tax revenues toward conservation efforts and the improvement of public parks and other green spaces.”

Question 7, Single-family homes on smaller lots: Yes. “This law could help alleviate the state's housing shortage and lower prices, homes could be built on any residentially zoned lot with at least 5,000 square feet and 50 feet of street frontage.”

Question 8, End retail recreational marijuana: No. “This proposed law would repeal the legalization of adult-use recreational marijuana in Massachusetts; safeguards to usage make our communities safer.”

Question 9, Keep or repeal the 2024 gun law (Yes keeps the law, No repeals it): Yes. “This ballot question would uphold firearm regulations, including banning assault-style weapons, requiring serial numbers and electronic tracking, mandating safety certificates for permits, expanding Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and allowing courts to require gun surrender for Harassment Prevention Orders.”

Want to know what each question would do? Our voter guide explains every one, with who is campaigning on each side. The Current does not endorse candidates or ballot questions and does not accept political advertising.

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