Catherine "Cathie" Zusy
She/Her
- Currently
- City Councillor
- Election history
- seeking second Council term
She/Her
A Cambridge resident for over 25 years, Cathie Zusy is a former museum curator who has been very active in local boards and organizations for many years, including Magazine Beach Partners and the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association. Indeed, she is sometimes known as the "Magazine Beach Lady" for her years-long efforts to secure public investment for the revitalization of Magazine Beach Park along the Charles River. She was also previously on the board of Cambridge Day.
Cathie was sworn into her seat on City Council in the fall 2024 after the passing of Joan Pickett. (In Cambridge's system, vacancies are treated as similar to a re-run of the ballots, instead of requiring a special election or appointment.)
While now a registered Democrat, she has previously voted in Republican primary elections.
In general, Cathie's position on housing is "no", stating "housing shouldn’t be built anywhere and [every]where", and she was the sole vote against the recent multifamily zoning ordinance.
She believes in maintaining the authority of the Cambridge Historical Commission, Neighborhood Conservation Districts, neighbors, and abutters. She cares about "open space, trees, historic architecture and neighborhood character" and says nearby buildings "unfairly block neighbor’s light."
About tenant protections, she has generally answered that she doesn't know much about the subject but has not supported proposals so far.
The proposed citywide zoning petition being considering today is an assault on our neighborhoods, our open space, and the historic fabric that make Cambridge charming, livable and delightfully distinctive.
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How many more people do we aspire to house? There is an insatiable and global demand for housing in Cambridge.
I hope my colleagues on the Council come to recognize the brutal consequences of this ordinance. I worry that many residents will find the declining quality of life unbearable and abandon hope, leaving Cambridge to rich outside investors.
I still believe in our old hippies that bought properties for $40,000, $60,000 and have great social consciences. I think they're going to be part of our solution because they could be providing the properties in the buildings that might be the foundation for social housing in Cambridge.
The summary [of Cambridge poverty statistics] also shares that single mothers make less money—they are often caring for their children, and often, lack specialized skills—and so are more impoverished. We need to make sure to give young women opportunities to develop skills and shine in high school, encouraging them, for the sake of their own lives and that of their future children, to make different choices.
I feel like we're in cancel culture, and now we're canceling white, educated, outspoken residents, and we're really doing a disservice to the city by not considering their feedback as well as everybody else's.
| Organization | Cambridge? | Union? | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Citizens Coalition | |||
| Cambridge Bicycle Safety |
Pedestrian and cycling safety, policy, infrastructure, governance
Pedestrian and cycling safety, policy, infrastructure, governance
Lengthy panel on progressive issues; largely yes/no questions; only 9 respondents. This is the first year this has appeared.
Lengthy panel on progressive issues; largely yes/no questions; only 9 respondents. This is the first year this has appeared.
Housing policy, development, governance
Housing policy, development, governance
Housing, zoning, governance, infrastructure
Housing, zoning, governance, infrastructure
Zusy, the lone vote against the zoning shifts, said “I’m hoping there will be some new energy brought to the council with this election. I think there’s a lot of groupthink on the council. A lot of people wed to certain ideologies and not thinking beyond the ideology.”
Her comments drew a self-described “spicy” response from McGovern, who, clearly rankled, said “for you to say that certain councillors just get ideological and don’t think about the whole picture or are not thoughtful is pretty insulting to your colleagues. Just because someone disagrees with you does not make them an ideologue.”
Sept. 23, 2025 — Michael FitzgeraldZusy, the lone vote against the zoning shifts, said “I’m hoping there will be some new energy brought to the council with this election. I think there’s a lot of groupthink on the council. A lot of people wed to certain ideologies and not thinking beyond the ideology.”
Her comments drew a self-described “spicy” response from McGovern, who, clearly rankled, said “for you to say that certain councillors just get ideological and don’t think about the whole picture or are not thoughtful is pretty insulting to your colleagues. Just because someone disagrees with you does not make them an ideologue.”
But other candidates prioritize preserving the city’s historical neighborhoods. Councilor Catherine “Cathie” Zusy said she expects to receive support from residents who support her lone vote against the multifamily housing ordinance.
Zusy is endorsed by the Cambridge Citizens Coalition, a nonprofit associated with a super PAC that advocates against Cambridge’s ambitious zoning reforms. She said that the policies recently passed by the Council will not have the impact that advocates argue.
Sept. 12, 2025 — Shawn A. Boehmer, Dionise Guerra-Carrillo, and Jack B. ReardonBut other candidates prioritize preserving the city’s historical neighborhoods. Councilor Catherine “Cathie” Zusy said she expects to receive support from residents who support her lone vote against the multifamily housing ordinance.
Zusy is endorsed by the Cambridge Citizens Coalition, a nonprofit associated with a super PAC that advocates against Cambridge’s ambitious zoning reforms. She said that the policies recently passed by the Council will not have the impact that advocates argue.
Councilor Catherine Zusy, cosponsor of an order to delay the installation, implied that many pro-bike lane residents were part of an astroturf campaign, claiming they only participated in a public comment period because they “had been told by an email to come out and speak.”
Aug. 11, 2025 — Catherine Benedict, John B. Corcoran and Alexa GombergCouncilor Catherine Zusy, cosponsor of an order to delay the installation, implied that many pro-bike lane residents were part of an astroturf campaign, claiming they only participated in a public comment period because they “had been told by an email to come out and speak.”
Councilor Catherine “Cathie” Zusy handed Toner a lifeline, calling for him to stay in office.
“He’s smart, conscientious, hardworking and fair and brings a thoughtful, balanced approach, legal understanding, and a deep knowledge of Cambridge to every issue we consider,” Zusy wrote in a statement.
“He did something really stupid. No, I don’t think he should resign from the Council. We need him,” she added.
March 22, 2025 — Matan H. Josephy and Laurel M. ShugartCouncilor Catherine “Cathie” Zusy handed Toner a lifeline, calling for him to stay in office.
“He’s smart, conscientious, hardworking and fair and brings a thoughtful, balanced approach, legal understanding, and a deep knowledge of Cambridge to every issue we consider,” Zusy wrote in a statement.
“He did something really stupid. No, I don’t think he should resign from the Council. We need him,” she added.
As a way to solve rising demand and high prices, it feels ham-handed. And to allow developers to ignore neighborhood input and threaten homeowners’ assets and neighborhood integrity gives developers unfair power. There are other ways to do this.
Feb. 9, 2025 — Cathie ZusyAs a way to solve rising demand and high prices, it feels ham-handed. And to allow developers to ignore neighborhood input and threaten homeowners’ assets and neighborhood integrity gives developers unfair power. There are other ways to do this.
At the CCC event, Zusy said she is grateful for the group’s endorsement. In an interview at the event, Zusy defended Pasquarello and Winters.
“I feel as though in our culture today, we are too quick to cancel people,” Zusy said.
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Zusy also said she is proud to be a Cantabrigian “because we have been at the forefront of energy policy and becoming a green city.”
Zusy said she has concerns about Cambridge’s goal of full home electrification by 2035, adding she worries Eversource — the city’s primary energy provider — would have to prioritize providing electricity to Cambridge over other cities and neighborhoods. She also said she has safety concerns about the installation of large transformers around Cambridge.
Oct. 12, 2023 — Jina H. ChoeAt the CCC event, Zusy said she is grateful for the group’s endorsement. In an interview at the event, Zusy defended Pasquarello and Winters.
“I feel as though in our culture today, we are too quick to cancel people,” Zusy said.
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Zusy also said she is proud to be a Cantabrigian “because we have been at the forefront of energy policy and becoming a green city.”
Zusy said she has concerns about Cambridge’s goal of full home electrification by 2035, adding she worries Eversource — the city’s primary energy provider — would have to prioritize providing electricity to Cambridge over other cities and neighborhoods. She also said she has safety concerns about the installation of large transformers around Cambridge.
Candidate Catherine Zusy said she was grateful for the CCC endorsement. When asked about the tweets, she said, “I feel as though in our culture today, we are too quick to cancel people.”
“Maybe he did something that lacked judgment,” she said of Winters. “I don’t know. But are you gonna negate all the good that he’s done for the city for 40 years?”
Oct. 2, 2023 — Muskaan Arshad, Julian J. GiordanoCandidate Catherine Zusy said she was grateful for the CCC endorsement. When asked about the tweets, she said, “I feel as though in our culture today, we are too quick to cancel people.”
“Maybe he did something that lacked judgment,” she said of Winters. “I don’t know. But are you gonna negate all the good that he’s done for the city for 40 years?”
[Candidate left a comment]
This letter makes me very sad. Aren’t we better than this in Cambridge? Some candidates, and very organized single-issue groups, are running scared and are seeking out dirt to bring down other candidates.
Robert Winters may be more moderate than many local candidates but he has done far more than all of them to advance Cambridge. He started our recycling and composting programs, is the longtime publisher of the online Cambridge Civic Journal, produces the Candidates Pages, the weekly show Inside/Out (about Cambridge goings on). He is our local expert who provides an historical perspective on Cambridge government—most recently about our City Charter—and, along with Cambridge Day, is our source for local news. Like CD editor Marc Levy, he does this as a volunteer. Robert is a thoughtful, highly informed person who would serve us well on City Council.
I have just met Carrie Pasquarello and don’t know her work intimately, but she has explained to me that her security work requires her to make social media connections with alternative groups. She needs to know what they’re saying and how they’re communicating. I know that she comes from a long line of local firefighters and policemen who have put their lives on the line to protect Cantabrigians. To write her off for her work is really wrong.
Sept. 30, 2023 — Ari Ofsevit[Candidate left a comment]
This letter makes me very sad. Aren’t we better than this in Cambridge? Some candidates, and very organized single-issue groups, are running scared and are seeking out dirt to bring down other candidates.
Robert Winters may be more moderate than many local candidates but he has done far more than all of them to advance Cambridge. He started our recycling and composting programs, is the longtime publisher of the online Cambridge Civic Journal, produces the Candidates Pages, the weekly show Inside/Out (about Cambridge goings on). He is our local expert who provides an historical perspective on Cambridge government—most recently about our City Charter—and, along with Cambridge Day, is our source for local news. Like CD editor Marc Levy, he does this as a volunteer. Robert is a thoughtful, highly informed person who would serve us well on City Council.
I have just met Carrie Pasquarello and don’t know her work intimately, but she has explained to me that her security work requires her to make social media connections with alternative groups. She needs to know what they’re saying and how they’re communicating. I know that she comes from a long line of local firefighters and policemen who have put their lives on the line to protect Cantabrigians. To write her off for her work is really wrong.
A majority of candidates expressed support for the MIT Graduate Student Union and Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Automobile Workers and said they would support workers’ rights on the Council.
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“This is an issue I haven’t thought about,” [Zusy] said. “I promise if I’m elected to the Council, I will think much more about this issue.”
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Discussions around public safety centered around the January killing of 20-year-old Sayed Faisal by Cambridge Police, with moderators asking what candidates would do to prevent police violence.
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Zusy, however, questioned the circumstances surrounding Faisal’s killing.
“I do think if he had stayed in his house, it would have been a private issue,” Zusy said, adding that when Faisal left the house with a knife, it “was a community safety issue.”
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“I think it was appropriate for the police to respond,” she added. “Clearly, something went wrong, and that was unfortunate.”
She added that the Cambridge Police Department is nationally renowned.
“We hear about how bad policemen are all over this country, but actually, our police do pretty good work,” she said.
Sept. 27, 2023 — Muskaan Arshad, Julian J. GiordanoA majority of candidates expressed support for the MIT Graduate Student Union and Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Automobile Workers and said they would support workers’ rights on the Council.
...
“This is an issue I haven’t thought about,” [Zusy] said. “I promise if I’m elected to the Council, I will think much more about this issue.”
...
Discussions around public safety centered around the January killing of 20-year-old Sayed Faisal by Cambridge Police, with moderators asking what candidates would do to prevent police violence.
...
Zusy, however, questioned the circumstances surrounding Faisal’s killing.
“I do think if he had stayed in his house, it would have been a private issue,” Zusy said, adding that when Faisal left the house with a knife, it “was a community safety issue.”
...
“I think it was appropriate for the police to respond,” she added. “Clearly, something went wrong, and that was unfortunate.”
She added that the Cambridge Police Department is nationally renowned.
“We hear about how bad policemen are all over this country, but actually, our police do pretty good work,” she said.
I understand councillors’ sense of urgency to respond to our housing emergency, but AHO2 is not the answer. Do we really want 15-story buildings in Harvard, Porter and Central squares casting shadows, without setbacks and without any review by the Planning Board and neighborhoods?
Sept. 11, 2023 — Cathie ZusyI understand councillors’ sense of urgency to respond to our housing emergency, but AHO2 is not the answer. Do we really want 15-story buildings in Harvard, Porter and Central squares casting shadows, without setbacks and without any review by the Planning Board and neighborhoods?
Earning the moniker “Magazine Beach Lady,” Zusy led the effort to revitalize Magazine Beach Park in Cambridgeport, securing an $8 million investment to turn the park’s historic powder house into an urban nature center. She began working in the park in 2010 and has served as president of Magazine Beach Partners since 2017.
July 7, 2023 — Matt RochaEarning the moniker “Magazine Beach Lady,” Zusy led the effort to revitalize Magazine Beach Park in Cambridgeport, securing an $8 million investment to turn the park’s historic powder house into an urban nature center. She began working in the park in 2010 and has served as president of Magazine Beach Partners since 2017.