Anne Manning Martin

Anne Manning-Martin attended Peabody Public Schools and earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from University of Massachusetts at Lowell. Manning-Martin's career experience involves working for the Suffolk Sheriff's Department and serving as the deputy superintendent for the Department of Correction for Shattuck Hospital Correction Unit. She has also served on the Peabody School Committee and the Peabody City Council.[1]

Anne Manning Martin did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong Peabody resident who has committed 25 years to my community through elected municipal office as a former School Committee member and as a current Councilor-at-Large. I have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from St. Anselm College and a master's degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. I have over 30 years in the field of Corrections, currently a Deputy Superintendent with the Department of Correction. I am uniquely qualified for this position.

I have attended Governor’s Council hearings for judgeships and pardons. I know how the council works; I know what they do, don’t do and should do. My track record of fighting for justice for my constituents and my years of public safety experience, uniquely qualifies me to evaluate the far-reaching effects judges and parole board decisions have on our residents. I operate without fear or favor - always focusing on what is in the best interest of those I serve.

No one in this race brings remotely that amount of significant and relevant experience. I will have no learning curve and will be ready to fiercely and fairly represent my constituents right out of the gate.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Experience matters: For these gubernatorial appointments whose decisions gravely affect the lives of average citizens, EXPERIENCE is the most important qualification. There is a little known but serious problem in our judicial system: when a judge is appointed to the district or superior court, he or she sits on both civil cases and criminal cases, whether they have ever had prior experience in the criminal arena, and vice versa. The public suffers greatly when attorneys, who have devoted their entire careers to specialized areas of law, ascend to the bench. The public cannot continue to suffer through what can only be viewed as on-the-job training for newly appointed judges. I will thoroughly vet gubernatorial appointments for experience.Accountability matters: I have observed Governor’s Council meetings since the early 90’s. I understand the role and importance of this under-the-radar Constitutional body that acts as a check and balance on the Governor by approving or rejecting the governor’s judicial and parole board nominees, and petitions for pardons and commutations. The Governor’s Council is the people’s last line of defense in our civil and criminal legal system in the dissemination of justice and, as such, accountability of the Governor’s Council is essential. I have answered directly to my constituents for the past 25 years, and will continue to do so as a member of the Governor's Council.Judicial Independence matters: Political leanings should have no bearing on the selection or approval process in gubernatorial appointments. Activist judges who legislate from the bench by injecting political ideologies into judicial decisions can lead to unjust rulings and is unfair to residents expecting and deserving a fair and impartial judge. I will thoroughly vet gubernatorial appointments to ensure their impartiality.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Open and Transparent Government matters: The Governor's Council should be subjected to and honor the Open Meeting Law as they discuss matters essential to the public such as gubernatorial appointments. The public has a right to know, hear and participate in the vetting of these appointments that could gravely affect their lives. I commit to improving the current council's participation or lack thereof of the Open Meeting Law.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity and courage to do the right thing.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Bussing tables at Chi Chi's.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA)

Massachusetts Coalition of Police (MCOP)

Charlie Baker, former Governor of Massachusetts

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I have earned the respect and trust of my constituents for years by being fiscally responsible with their tax dollars, asking for their input and listening to their concerns.

Campaign website

Manning-Martin’s campaign website stated the following:

Anne Manning-Martin Announces Campaign for Governor's Council 5th District

Pledges Impartial Reviews, Greater Balance to Council if Elected

PEABODY - Tuesday, APRIL 9, 2024 - Anne Manning-Martin, Councilor-at-Large for the City of Peabody, today announced her campaign for the Governor's Council 5th District to represent 36 cities and towns across the Commonwealth's North Shore and Merrimack Valley. Councilor Manning-Martin is vying to replace outgoing Councilor Eileen Duff.

For 25 years, Councilor Manning-Martin has served the City of Peabody as a member of the Peabody School Committee from 2000 to 2007 and has served on the Peabody City Council since 2008. During her tenure, she evaluated and approved or denied the hiring of public officials without fear or favor for city positions ranging from School Superintendent to City Clerk.

Councilor Manning-Martin intends to bring the same impartiality to the Governor's Council, which is currently comprised of councilors from one political party.

"Lady Justice is not blind when a single party controls both the selection of judges and their nomination by the Corner Office. Judicial offices should not be subject to lifetime patronage appointments for those with friends in high places. Citizens of the 5th District deserve a Councilor who will fight for their fair dav in court in front of judges who were vetted on their ability to conduct unbiased arbitration," said Councilor Manning-Martin.

"For 25 years, I have put the City of Peabody first. My career, both in elected office and more than three decades in the criminal justice system, uniquely qualifies me to evaluate the far-reaching effects the Commonwealth's judges have on our residents."

"If elected, I promise to represent our 36 communities with fairness, integrity, and a truly unbiased rule of law. Massachusetts should have faith in a system that is supposed to treat everyone equally, no matter who you are or who you know." [2]

—Anne Manning-Martin’s campaign website (2024)[3]