Zion Sherin
He/Him
Currently: Unemployed
Election history: 1st-time candidate
He/Him
Currently: Unemployed
Election history: 1st-time candidate
Zion Sherin is new to Cambridge and its municipal politics, having registered here for the first time in April. A registered Independent, he has also been endorsed by the Yankee National Party, a New England secessionist party that avows a "enter-left, social democratic" ideology and asks its endorsees to uphold its core values.
Zion is a regular poster on Nextdoor and attendee at Neighborhood Conservation District meetings.
He is running as part of the Repeal Slate to roll back the Multifamily Housing Ordinance
Broadly speaking, Zion is a "no" on housing.
He opposes market rate housing production under the new zoning and characterizes it as "unnecessary over-development." He is not opposed to single- and two-family home construction in Cambridge, citing it as "the most accessible way for middle class families to invest".
He is opposed to building taller in the squares and corridors, but has indicated support for the Affordable Housing Overlay. He supports a "fine grid" zoning change. He simultaneously advocates for reducing City Council's reliance on public comment, while also advocating for the power of hyperlocal bodies like Neighborhood Conservation Districts.
Green roofs are great, but they don't work for bunnies or for bees, because they're six stories up.
60 Ellery started as a 29-unit proposal, now 30 units. It would destroy a functional brick home that currently has 4 units with 4 parking spots. The home is in good condition with sizable units, as the building at one point had 9 units and was reduced over time. The new building proposal has no parking, would be 6 stories tall, and has a rooftop party area. As if this is not bad enough, it also builds over an easement. This building doesn’t belong on Ellery Street. The materials and size do not match the neighborhood.
Is it realistic that there will be no traffic deaths, in my lifetime? I don't think so. In terms of a year? I think that's a possible goal. It definitely should be our goal.
| Organization | Cambridge? | Union? | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Citizens Coalition |
Pedestrian and cycling safety, policy, infrastructure, governance
Pedestrian and cycling safety, policy, infrastructure, governance
Housing policy, development, governance
Housing policy, development, governance
Housing, zoning, governance, infrastructure
Housing, zoning, governance, infrastructure
Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association City Council Candidate Night 2025
Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association City Council Candidate Night 2025
Porter Square Neighborhood Association and Baldwin Neighborhood Council City Council Candidate Forum at Lesley University
Porter Square Neighborhood Association and Baldwin Neighborhood Council City Council Candidate Forum at Lesley University
"This year, we turned the traditional format upside down: community members with lived experience will speak first, and candidates will listen and respond. We heard directly about pressing issues like housing, mental health, and food security—and learn how candidates plan to act on them."
"This year, we turned the traditional format upside down: community members with lived experience will speak first, and candidates will listen and respond. We heard directly about pressing issues like housing, mental health, and food security—and learn how candidates plan to act on them."
Zoom-based panel run by 350Mass, Mothers Out Front, Green Cambridge, Elders Climate Action, others.
Zoom-based panel run by 350Mass, Mothers Out Front, Green Cambridge, Elders Climate Action, others.
Sherin quit his job to campaign, figuring the best shot he had to win was to get in front of people. He goes out knocking on doors from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and so far has worn out one pair of sneakers and purchased orthotics to ease his aching feet. On the plus side, “I get in 26,000 steps some days,” he said.
“That was one day, Zion,” said his campaign manager, Michelle Song, noting 10,000 to 20,000 steps is more typical. Sherin took the pushback in stride.
Oct. 27, 2025 — Michael F. FitzgeraldSherin quit his job to campaign, figuring the best shot he had to win was to get in front of people. He goes out knocking on doors from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and so far has worn out one pair of sneakers and purchased orthotics to ease his aching feet. On the plus side, “I get in 26,000 steps some days,” he said.
“That was one day, Zion,” said his campaign manager, Michelle Song, noting 10,000 to 20,000 steps is more typical. Sherin took the pushback in stride.
A “Repeal Slate” coalition of four Cambridge City Council candidates in next month’s election – Elizabeth Bisio, John Hanratty, Peter Hsu and Zion Sherin – hopes to replace some of the eight incumbents running with a platform of slowing down housing construction enabled by recent zoning changes.
“Repeal neighborhood upzoning,” says a page on Hanratty’s website asking voters to use their top four votes for the Repeal Slate candidates. In Cambridge’s ranked form of balloting, candidate votes can transfer; slates are a way to keep a transferred vote within a group of like-minded politicians, increasing the chances of seeing their positions represented after elections.
The slate members “announce that they are running under a unified message to take back neighborhoods that are already being decimated by a tsunami of developer tear-downs fueled by the neighborhood upzoning,” the candidates wrote in a press release. “Homeowners and others will be paying higher taxes in return for losing the neighborhoods they love, sunlight, fresh air, privacy, parking and simply their peace and quiet.”
Oct. 12, 2025 — Jane PetersenA “Repeal Slate” coalition of four Cambridge City Council candidates in next month’s election – Elizabeth Bisio, John Hanratty, Peter Hsu and Zion Sherin – hopes to replace some of the eight incumbents running with a platform of slowing down housing construction enabled by recent zoning changes.
“Repeal neighborhood upzoning,” says a page on Hanratty’s website asking voters to use their top four votes for the Repeal Slate candidates. In Cambridge’s ranked form of balloting, candidate votes can transfer; slates are a way to keep a transferred vote within a group of like-minded politicians, increasing the chances of seeing their positions represented after elections.
The slate members “announce that they are running under a unified message to take back neighborhoods that are already being decimated by a tsunami of developer tear-downs fueled by the neighborhood upzoning,” the candidates wrote in a press release. “Homeowners and others will be paying higher taxes in return for losing the neighborhoods they love, sunlight, fresh air, privacy, parking and simply their peace and quiet.”
Zion Sherin, a challenger for Council, called the zoning reform “ridiculous” and will “destroy neighborhoods.”
“If you talk to most people, they do support multifamily housing. What was passed was not multifamily housing,” Zion said. “It was the allowance of commercial size apartment buildings to be put up in every neighborhood being called multifamily.”
Oct. 10, 2025 — Dionise Guerra-CarrilloZion Sherin, a challenger for Council, called the zoning reform “ridiculous” and will “destroy neighborhoods.”
“If you talk to most people, they do support multifamily housing. What was passed was not multifamily housing,” Zion said. “It was the allowance of commercial size apartment buildings to be put up in every neighborhood being called multifamily.”
Sheron is 24 but said what’s key is “you need to know what you don’t know, and you need to know who knows it. I know I can get mentors who have been longtime residents.” He also noted that being from elsewhere can mean bringing useful ideas – he lived in Ithaca, New York, which has developed an effective method for dealing with some of the bike-related parking issues Cambridge is still trying to get a handle on.
Sept. 23, 2025 — Michael FitzgeraldSheron is 24 but said what’s key is “you need to know what you don’t know, and you need to know who knows it. I know I can get mentors who have been longtime residents.” He also noted that being from elsewhere can mean bringing useful ideas – he lived in Ithaca, New York, which has developed an effective method for dealing with some of the bike-related parking issues Cambridge is still trying to get a handle on.
Some believe the answer is simple: just build more housing. But others, myself included, argue that it’s not only about how much we build, but where we build it, what kind of housing it is, and who it’s for. These are the three Ws: Where, What, and Who. They are essential to making housing truly affordable and accessible.
July 31, 2025 — Zion SherinSome believe the answer is simple: just build more housing. But others, myself included, argue that it’s not only about how much we build, but where we build it, what kind of housing it is, and who it’s for. These are the three Ws: Where, What, and Who. They are essential to making housing truly affordable and accessible.
Yes, basic economics supply and demand say more housing should lower prices. In reality, housing markets don’t follow the simple rules of Econ 101. I studied Applied Economics and Management, and the data shows that adding more supply doesn’t always bring down costs, especially in high demand cities like Cambridge.
July 31, 2025 — Zion SherinYes, basic economics supply and demand say more housing should lower prices. In reality, housing markets don’t follow the simple rules of Econ 101. I studied Applied Economics and Management, and the data shows that adding more supply doesn’t always bring down costs, especially in high demand cities like Cambridge.
When it comes to city street design, Sherin is mulling parking minimums for new developers or restricting new buildings from getting on-street parking permits. With the restriction in place, there will be more pressure for developers to live up to their word when planning for transit and bike parking, Sherin said.
June 26, 2025 — Alvin BuyinzaWhen it comes to city street design, Sherin is mulling parking minimums for new developers or restricting new buildings from getting on-street parking permits. With the restriction in place, there will be more pressure for developers to live up to their word when planning for transit and bike parking, Sherin said.