Diann Slavit Baylis Announces Candidacy for Governor’s Council

Immigration Attorney from Marblehead to run in 6th District

Marblehead, MA – Immigration attorney Diann Slavit Baylis announced today that she is running for Governor’s Council in Massachusetts’ 6th District.  Slavit Baylis, a resident of Marblehead, took out nomination papers this week from the Secretary of State’s Office, and plans to collect nomination signatures throughout the district.

The Governor’s Council is an elected body in Massachusetts that provides advice and consent on the Governor’s judicial appointments, pardons and commutations, and warrants for the state treasury.  The Council also plays a role in the certification of statewide election results.  The 6th district encompasses parts of Boston, most of Cambridge, the cities of Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Revere and Somerville, and the towns of Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, Wakefield, Winchester and Winthrop.

“We need judges with knowledge, integrity and compassion at every level of our judiciary, and I will be a voice for that on the Governor’s Council” said Slavit Baylis.  “What many people don’t know is that critical decisions impacting the lives of children who enter the country unaccompanied, like the clients that I have represented as immigration counsel, are being made in our state probate courts.  This is a dangerous time for immigrant families.  We must ensure that people appointed to judgeships understand immigration law, and that they will stand up for the constitutional rights, safety and best interests of immigrants and immigrant children.”

While most immigration proceedings take place in federal immigration courts, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, a path to citizenship for unaccompanied minors, is determined at the state level through the probate courts.

Photo provided by the Slavit Baylis campaign.

Slavit-Baylis, a lifelong resident of the North of Boston region, is a graduate of Merrimack College and Suffolk Law School.  She has a long history of public service, including volunteering for the Lawyer of the Day program at Essex Probate Court.  Earlier in her career she served as Deputy Campaign Coordinator for the Massachusetts Democratic Party, and she is currently an active member of the Marblehead Democratic Town Committee.  Slavit Baylis has also supported the work of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, having testified at legislative hearings and spoken at State House rallies to urge action on much-needed gun violence prevention legislation.

“I come from a tradition of public service,” said Slavit Baylis, the youngest daughter of former Haverhill Harbormaster William “Red” Slavit.  “There is important work to be done on the Governor’s Council, and I look forward to engaging voters in a conversation about their priorities, and what I can offer them as their Councilor from the 6th District.”