I’m running for Watertown City Council At-Large because I believe our city’s future should reflect the voices, values, and hopes of all who call it home.

Meet Theo Offei!

For the past five years, I’ve been lucky to live in Watertown’s Riverside neighborhood with my wife, our two daughters, and my in-laws. Since day one, I’ve felt welcomed into this warm, diverse city through neighborhood friendships, the community at Hosmer Elementary, my volunteer work on Watertown’s Resident Advisory Committee, and just meeting people around town.

I was born in Accra, Ghana and raised in Reggio Emilia, Italy. I moved to California for University and proudly became a citizen of the United States in 2020. As an immigrant, I’ve seen first-hand the power of education, opportunity and community.

After receiving a BA in Political Science and Government from the University of Southern California, I had a career in the technology sector working with startups, venture capital firms and mission-driven organizations. More recently, I’ve been working in real estate development and construction management. I have a deep understanding of finance and budgeting including real estate, construction, and affordable housing finance.

My family has a tradition of public service in Watertown that I am proud to carry on. Since 2022, I‘ve been Vice Chair of the Resident Advisory Committee working with the City Manager to staff Watertown's 24 boards and commissions. This role has given me valuable insight into the city’s operations and challenges. My wife, Abigail, is on the Planning Board and the Community Preservation Committee. My father-in-law Ted volunteers with Watertown’s Rapid Response Network, supporting our immigrant neighbors, and my mother-in-law Nancy is the Chair of the Stormwater Advisory Committee and has been involved in Watertown affairs for decades.

I’m naturally friendly and curious. I love talking to people of all backgrounds and viewpoints and learning about their life experiences, concerns and dreams for the future. I speak fluent Italian and English and passable Twi, Spanish and Portuguese. I'm passionate about data-driven decision making, creating community, and taking my kids for breakfast at the Diner on North Beacon.

Key
Priorities

Housing Affordability

Watertown is becoming increasingly unaffordable for working families, seniors, and young people. I support policies that promote mixed-income housing, protect renters from displacement, and streamline the permitting process to encourage responsible, community-informed development. My goal is to maintain the socio-economic diversity that differentiates Watertown from many of our neighboring towns and cities.
Great Schools

Public schools are the backbone of a strong community. I will work to ensure that our schools are well-funded, safe, and inclusive. I support policies that expand early childhood education and after-school care, attract and retain high-quality educators, strengthen partnerships between schools and families and address urgent issues of technology, youth mental health, and future preparedness for our students.
Economic Vitality

I believe Watertown can be a thriving hub for a diversity of businesses from single chair hair salons to bustling local restaurants to innovative biotechs. My platform supports revitalizing underutilized commercial corridors, attracting mission-aligned businesses, and ensuring small business owners have the tools and access needed to succeed—without sacrificing our town’s unique character.
Public Safety

I support policies that ensure our first responders have the resources they need while also building community trust, transparency, and resilience. These include investing in technology, training, infrastructure, and the right staff to help our police, firefighters and public health officials respond to a changing world.
Climate Action

With dwindling support from the federal government, the Commonwealth and individual municipalities must double down on our commitments to reducing emissions, protecting open space, and investing in green infrastructure. I am committed to maintaining Watertown’s role as a regional leader on climate issues. I also find it so exciting how many of our City’s other goals are also inherently sustainable - greening our city, building new housing near vibrant commercial hubs and improving our transportation options!
Technological Innovation

As a tech-savvy millennial, I am very interested in investigating how our City can embrace technology to deliver faster, smarter, and more accessible services to residents. Streamlining the City’s systems will allow us to identify opportunities to save taxpayer dollars, increase transparency, and better support city staff.
Community Building

Our vibrant and diverse community is one of Watertown’s greatest strengths. I support leveraging public buildings and green spaces, thoughtful programming and effective communications to broaden opportunities for neighbors to engage with one another. Elevating Watertown as a fun, creative community with more public art, cultural events, and social gatherings will continue to bring us together in these challenging times. Now is a time to find joy and support in community!
Civic Engagement

Watertown has a contingent of residents who are reliably engaged in public affairs but I believe we can encourage more of our neighbors to get involved by strengthening transparency, accessibility, and opportunities for residents to contribute. In our last three municipal elections we had an average voter participation of just 18%. We have a real opportunity to strengthen our democracy by welcoming new and underrepresented voices into the conversation while valuing the commitment and institutional knowledge of long-term, engaged residents.
Impactful Spending

All other goals are predicated on managing our budget with care so we can invest in the future without overburdening taxpayers. I bring a data-driven mindset to public finance. I will advocate for transparency, long-term planning, and smart investments that balance present-day needs with future resilience. I am committed to being a good steward of taxpayer dollars, ensuring that every expenditure contributes to broad-based community benefit and improvements to quality of life for Watertown residents.