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 Why I'm Running

What pushed me to run was the pay raise controversy last year. Despite strong public opposition and repeated calls for hearings, the city council approved a 79% raise for the mayor and a 50% raise for themselves — that would make the Quincy mayor’s salary higher than the mayors of New York City, Chicago, and Boston. In just 20 days, over 6,000 voters signed a petition to repeal the mayor’s raise, including many who had previously supported him. Many from the Asian community, usually quiet about civic affairs, also stepped forward to sign.

It wasn’t until the State Ethics Commission stepped in that the mayor and council decided to defer the raises. Instead of following state law by amending the ordinances (GL, Part 1, Title VII, Chapter 43, Section 21), they just went to the newspapers to announce it. Is that even legal? And let’s be clear—they only deferred the raises. They didn’t rescind them.

Since coming to the U.S. from China in 1999 to do postdoctoral research at the University of Vermont and calling Quincy home for the past 14 years, I’ve come to deeply value American democracy. But this pay raise issue went against everything I’ve learned about democracy – that elected officials are public servants, not bosses like in the private sector; that people have a say; and that all decisions should be made through a fair, democratic process. 

I joined the protest and became one of the lead organizers of the repeal campaign. While I was collecting signatures and organizing protests, many people encouraged me to run for city council. They appreciated my willingness and courage to stand up and speak for the people — even when it meant standing up against those in power.

What I Will Do

If elected, I will work with my colleagues to push for:  

1. Term Limits – Two terms for the mayor, capped at 8 years. If the mayor wants to run for a third term, special election is required, and approval from 2/3 of voters would be needed to allow it.

My life experience growing up in China under a centralized government has shown me firsthand that “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” We need structures to protect democratic governance.

2. Fair Raises – Rescind the unjust raises for the mayor and councilors and tie future increases to the average raises of city workers.

Elected officials are public servants — not CEOs. CEOs in the private sector can be fired at any time and are expected to have specific professional qualifications. In contrast, elected officials simply need enough votes and can only be removed at the end of their term. These are fundamentally different roles, and their pay should be determined accordingly. 

3. Fiscal Discipline – Open bidding for all city projects, regular audits, prioritizing real needs, and cutting vanity projects to ease property tax burden. 

Why, with over $1 billion in city debt, is Quincy still borrowing for vanity projects— even going so far as to use eminent domain to push out tax-paying businesses? Why wasn’t the public informed about the $850,000 allocated for two controversial religious statues at the new Public Safety Building?  Why did it take so long to uncover the head of Elder Services stealing from seniors? Why are there repeated, significant cost overruns on city projects? No wonder property taxes keep rising year after year — and it's pushing up rent too. 

4. Transparency & Accountability – Open office hours, monthly public comment sessions at council meetings, and an Issues Committee made up of both residents and councilors to review complaints involving city officials and work toward fair, transparent resolutions. 

An independent issues committee would help protect residents from unfair treatment and allow the city to resolve concerns internally—preventing costly legal disputes and ensuring greater accountability in local government. 

5. A Safe, Fair and Community-Driven Quincy for All

Quincy is one of the most diverse cities in Massachusetts, with approximately 55.6% White, 29.2% Asian, and 6.5% African American residents. People from all backgrounds have contributed to the city’s economy, culture, and vibrant community life.

As a city councilor-at-large, I will propose formal resolutions to publicly condemn acts of hate and all forms of discrimination. I will also work to promote unity and strengthen our sense of community by making better use of public spaces where children and adults can gather, supporting local businesses through a “Shop Local” initiative, advocating for local entertainment options like a community theater, and fostering mutual understanding through cultural programming—such as festivals, art exhibitions, and community-led events.

Together, we can build a Quincy that is safe, fair, and truly community-driven.

Vote on November 4, 2025! I would be honored to win your vote!

Meet Ziqiang

我为什么参选

促使我参选的，是去年的加薪争议。尽管公众强烈反对、也多次要求召开听证会，市议会仍然批准了市长加薪79%、议员自己加薪50%的决定——这将使昆西市长的工资比纽约、芝加哥和波士顿市长还高。短短20天内，就有超过6,000名选民签署请愿书，要求撤销市长的加薪，其中包括很多曾经支持过他的选民。就连平时在地方政治中比较沉默的亚裔社区，也有很多人出来签名。

一直到州政府的道德委员会介入，市长和市议会才决定暂时推迟加薪。但他们没有依法修正条例（按《麻州通用法》第43章第21节），而是直接通过媒体宣布——这合法吗？更重要的是，他们只是推迟了，并没有取消。

我1999年从中国来到美国，在佛蒙特大学从事博士后研究，过去14年一直住在昆西。在这里，我深深体会到了美国民主的可贵。但这次加薪事件，却完全违背了我对民主制度的理解——民选官员是服务公众的公仆，而不是像私企里的老板；人民应该有权参与政府决策，而决策过程也应该是公开、公正、透明的。

我参与了抗议活动，并成为这场撤销加薪运动的主要组织者之一。在收集签名、组织抗议的过程中，很多人鼓励我出来竞选市议员。他们感谢我愿意站出来为大家发声的勇气——哪怕这意味着要直面手握权力的人。

如果我当选，我将推动以下五项重点改革：

1. 市长任期限制 —— 市长最多只能连任一次（最多八年）。如果要竞选第三任，必须举行特别选举，并且需要获得三分之二选民的支持才能竞选第三任。

我从小在中央集权体制下长大，亲眼见过“权力导致腐败，绝对的权力导致绝对的腐败”。民主制度需要有机制来限制权力，保障公平治理。

2. 合理加薪机制 —— 取消不合理的市长和议员的加薪，未来加薪应与市政工作人员的平均涨幅挂钩。

民选官员是为公众服务的，不是企业CEO。CEO可以随时被解雇，还需要具备专业资格；而民选官员只需要选票，一旦当选，就要等任期结束后才能换人。这是两个完全不同的角色，薪资制度当然也应区别对待。

3. 财政负责 —— 所有市政项目必须公开招标，定期审计；优先满足实际需求，削减面子工程，减轻地产税负担。

昆西负债已超过10亿美元，为什么还在为面子工程继续举债？甚至不惜动用征收权（eminent domain）赶走纳税的商户？为什么市政府拨款85万美元为新公共安全大楼建两个有争议的宗教雕像，却从没告诉公众？  为什么老人服务部门负责人侵占老人资金的事情拖了那么久才被揭露？  为什么市政工程一再超支？难怪我们的地产税年年上涨 - 也促使了租金上涨。

4. 廉政透明 ——  我将推动设立开放办公时间、每月一次的市议会公众评论时段，并成立由居民和市议员共同组成的居民事务委员会，审查涉及市政府官员的投诉，并推动公正、透明的解决方案。

一个独立的居民事务委员会将有助于保护居民免受不公对待，并允许市府在内部解决问题，避免昂贵的法律纠纷，同时提升市政府的问责机制。

5. 为所有人打造一个安全、公正、以社区为本的昆西市

昆西市是马萨诸塞州种族构成最丰富的城市之一，大约有55.6%的白人、29.2%的亚裔和6.5%的非裔美国人。来自不同背景的人们共同为本市的经济、文化和充满活力的社区生活作出了贡献。

作为一名全市议员（不分选区），我将提出正式决议，公开谴责仇恨行为以及一切形式的歧视。我也将致力于促进团结，增强我们的社区凝聚力，包括更好地利用公共空间，让儿童和成人都有地方聚会交流；通过“支持本地商家”计划来扶持本地经济；推动建立本地娱乐设施，例如社区剧院；并通过文化活动——如节庆、艺术展览以及居民自发组织的活动——增进彼此之间的理解与尊重。

让我们一起建设一个安全、公正、真正以社区为本的昆西市。

请在2025年11月4日投我一票！

能获得您的支持，我将深感荣幸！