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James Roy, a progressive candidate for at-large city councilor in New Bedford, has written in campaign materials and social media posts about “a substance use disorder that derailed his life.”
Some of the unflattering specifics of that past have now reared their head in election season attacks.
Last week, a local political commentator began circulating an accusation on Facebook that Roy was “attempt[ing] to hide past actions,” and included a picture of a petition to seal criminal charges, which was filed by Roy.
The Light has confirmed that Roy successfully petitioned the District Court in July to seal records for nine criminal charges against him from 2001 through 2015. Roy was not found guilty on any charge: eight charges ranging from Class D drug possession to disturbing the peace and larceny were dismissed, and one charge of leaving the scene of personal injury resulted in a not guilty finding.
Roy, a civics teacher and organizer with the New Bedford Coalition to Save Our Schools, writes on his website that substance use led to “a path of sickness, survival, and desperation. What followed were some of his darkest days but also the hardest-earned lessons of his life about poverty, trauma, community, resilience, and love.”
Roy said on his website that he has been in recovery for a decade, and that he intends to be open about his struggles with substance use.
Roy’s website did not detail the specific charges that were previously filed against him, the most recent of which is now a decade old. The petition to seal these records happened in concert with his official candidacy, nine days after Roy’s campaign filed a statement of organization in July. Judge Joseph Hurley allowed Roy’s court records to be sealed on Sept. 3.
The New Bedford Light asked Roy for an interview to respond to what has been circulating about him online. The transcript below has been lightly edited for clarity.
New Bedford Light: In campaign materials on your website, you talked about your history with substance use, including what you call some of the “darkest days” of your life. Why did you choose to include that in your campaign literature?
James Roy: I think it’s a big part of my story. It’s a part of my identity that I think I share with many folks in New Bedford. Ultimately, my parents loved me, they were good people, and they struggled with addiction. I lost them both when I was young.
My mom, she died in a car accident on Christmas Day. My dad [died] in an overdose. So I, like so many folks in New Bedford, have experienced real deep hardship. And the weight of that loss and my family history eventually caught up with me, and I developed a substance use disorder.
Like I said, it did derail my life, and I worked incredibly hard to rebuild my life. I earned a law degree, I became a teacher, I built a family. I have given back to the community that supported me, by volunteering, by organizing. And I believe this lived experience makes me a stronger candidate.
I understand the struggle firsthand, and I know what it takes to build something better.
NBL: You say that it caught up with you. What specifically happened? People are now considering you as a candidate for public office, and they will want to know what happened to you.
JR: It was a period of sickness. It’s complex. It’s about trauma, it’s about family history. This time in my life was a period of sickness, of survival, even desperation, and it’s a deeply painful period that is behind me, and I’m grateful for my life every day.
NBL: You said this was something that taught you lessons that you want to apply to being a city councilor. What are some of the lessons that you learned and what would you bring to the table as a city councilor?
JR: Housing is something that I said last night at one of the forums. It might have been the forum with Jack [Spillane]. But I grew up in public housing. I struggled with housing instability as a tenant during this time of instability. And I exited that [period of life].
I just recently navigated the long road to home ownership. So I know that everyone deserves a safe stable home in New Bedford. And so that’s one of the things [I’ll work on].
NBL: Do you have any comments about what has been posted about you on social media specifically? There was a screenshot of a petition to seal court records. Do you have any comments about that being shared about you online and talked about on the radio?
JR: Yeah. So these court records were ordered sealed by a judge and should never have been reproduced or shared publicly in this way. They were posted by Carlos Felix, who has a documented history of harassing people. [Editor’s note: A criminal harassment charge against Felix was resolved with pre-trial probation last December. A trespassing charge against Felix was dismissed in February 2024.]
There are countless people in our city, already weighed down by shame and stigma. So when somebody in recovery is shamed on social media or in the news, it’s not just me or one person that’s affected. It sends a message to everyone fighting to heal that they should stay silent or stay hidden. It suggests that redemption and second chances don’t even matter.
And I’m always going to fight for opportunity. I’m always going to fight for dignity and second chances for every person in New Bedford. No one should be defined by their lowest moment, and what matters is the hope we create, the lives we rebuild, and the communities we strengthen here in the city.
NBL: One of the things that was said about you is you were attempting to hide your past. Do you think that that’s something that is an accurate description of your campaign?
JR: People seek to seal records for a reason. Judges seal records for a reason. It’s not to hide. It’s to get and keep jobs. It’s for family stability. It’s to move forward. People deserve the chance to move forward without being chained to their lowest moment.
So my family asked that I petition the court to seal my records after I chose to run for office because they reflect a painful chapter for us. And the records don’t define me. The records don’t define me. They represent a period when I was very sick, not the full measure of my life.
NBL: What do you hope defines your candidacy for City Council?
JR: That I’ve given back to the community that supported me by volunteering and organizing. That I believe this lived experience makes me a stronger candidate because I understand the struggle, and I know what it takes to build something better.
NBL: Is there anything you want to say that I’ve not asked you about?
JR: No. Thanks for giving me the opportunity.
Email Colin Hogan at chogan@newbedfordlight.org
Wishing James Roy the best of luck, unfortunately what you have done in life does matter, especially when running for elected office. Blaming Carlos Felix and trying to tear him down is not the answer. Politics is tough and if it wasn’t Mr. Felix it would have been someone else. For any candidate the best path forward is to control what you can control, be honest, be open, and present your case to the voters, and let them decide.
Regarding the story by Colin Hogan on City Councilor candidate, James Roy. Can you imagine expecting perfection in our community leaders.
There is not one among us who isn’t flawed in someway. For me, what matters most is what lessons a person learns from his/her mistakes.
How long must Mr. Ray prove that he is a changed man.
The smear campaign against him seems more about his progressive politics than his past.
If anyone wants to challenge Mr. Roy, they should have the courage to do so openly and without ulterior motives.
Though I have never met him, I am impressed with everything he does for this community, and I support his bid for office.
Ditto.
It took tremendous courage and humility for Mr. Roy to give this interview. We are not all fortunate to be born under a lucky star. He was not convicted of any crime, and previous failures in life should not follow him or any other person to their graves. (To those who are harassing him, I say: “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone”) I commend him for battling against many obstacles to become the person he is today and for showing others who struggle that there is a way out of their circumstances. This shows tremendous strength of character, something that we desperately need in our leaders today. Mr. Roy has my vote. He has shown us that he has the courage and strength of character that we all should hope for from our leaders.
I find it interesting that City employees are subjected to random drug testing, but elected officials and administrators are not! Throughout the Country there are incidents of elected officials, and administrators, with substance abuse problems. They’re not super-human! What’s there to fear? Elected officials, and administrators should have zero problems submitting to random drug testing! Somebody make a motion to include. Join your fellow citizens. You might be surprised at who votes to let it die in committee!
I am so impressed that Mr. Roy in spite of his tragic upbringing and battle with substance abuse accomplished his goals to get his law degree, become a teacher, have his own family, and purchase a house. A person’s past does not always reflect what their future will be. Many successful people including politicians like President George W Bush and past Boston Mayor Marty Walsh were alcoholics. I believe Mr. Roy is sincere and determined to help improve the New Bedford’s residents standard of living. He deserves the opportunity to become a member of the City Council.
Jim H.
I saw a great deal of honesty, courage and character in Mr. Roy’s comments. Wish him the best in the upcoming election. Ed
Bravo, Mr. Roy. Thank you for stepping up to run in a time where not many do. Thank you for explaining why your family asked that the records be sealed. Those who have not experienced the fallout of substance abuse disorder do not understand that it never goes away, it follows you and those affected, your whole life, no matter how strong you are in your sobriety. It should not define you. Your service to the city will. Best of luck. New Bedford needs more like you.
WOW! Finally a breath of fresh air blowing through the stagnant city council chambers! Let’s get Roy elected, I loved his quote about not being chained to your lowest moment! Good for him!
As someone in the addictions treatment field, I commend Mr. Roy for his transparency and courage. Bravo! He sends a message of hope to others struggling with mental health or substance misuse. We are not defined by our lowest moments, and what I learned over the last 40 years living life and working in this field, NO ONE escapes having their lowest moment. Time to remember our moment and embrace humility and empathy.
What are his thoughts on “shooting galleries” or safe injection sites as the democrats call them, in the city? That’s a deal breaker for me.
Bravo to James Roy for overcoming such a terrible life. You have my vote.
Joyce Pimental
I remember first meeting James at Green Bean years ago when I overheard him talking to Richie Thompson (a Montigny aide at the time) about their favorite presidents. I thought, “what great and smart guys.” Chatting with them, I found them both to be gentle, smart, civically minded young gentlemen. (Richard now works in Washington DC.) James is a good-natured broad-minded man (unless something radically changed over the years!), and I hope his bid to be a city councillor is successful. Substance abuse is so widespread now (including among some presidents…), and James is doing the work. He’s just the sort we need involved in civic decision making either on council or on committees.
People in long-term recovery live by values we should all try to embody: honesty, being truthful with ourselves; accountability, owning up to our actions; hope, that a better life is possible; humility, commitment, support, self-awareness, service, respect, and dignity for both ourselves and others.
If anyone thinks being in recovery is something to be ashamed of, I would ask them to think about whether they practice those same values. Recovery is about embracing those qualities, facing your past with courage, working hard to change, and giving back to your community. These are the things that make stronger individuals and stronger neighborhoods.
New Bedford needs leaders who really understand what is happening in all parts of our city, not just downtown, but in the neighborhoods where addiction, homelessness, poverty, and mental health struggles are part of daily life. We need people who do not just talk about these problems but have real experience or empathy and a genuine commitment to finding solutions.
James Roy’s story shows how someone who has faced those challenges and come through them can bring important lessons to the table. People like him know what it means to rebuild and heal, and that kind of experience is exactly what New Bedford needs as we look to create a better future for everyone.
James Roy, first of all Congratulations, although, I don’t know you, I want to say I’m proud of you. Your story is real life. Never hide from your story, it is full of accountability, and honesty. You will be fantastic in this role because of your past experiences and all you have come to be. I speak from experience as well, 40 years worth, so I know where you are, stand tall with every confidence and follow through. A past is not a bad thing, its actually what gave you the ability to be a more compassionate and understanding human being. When in doubt, listen to the song, “Don’t laugh at me”, by Mark Wills, it is one that many can relate to, it should be played loudly every day. I wish you the best in your new adventure and speak your truth loudly no matter what!!
I don’t understand the people attacking this candidate who is honest about his last and seems committed to serving the people of New Bedford. The current NB city council attempted to shut down the city’s only Portuguese library and the Buttonwood Park Zoo. We can’t afford the status quo anymore. I say give Roy a chance.
His past is irrelevant. I would need to know his stand on issues such as crime, taxes, sanctuary city status, etc. His definition of crime is really important.
Bravo James Roy! Bravo New Bedford Light for giving him this opportunity to speak! I, for one, will support someone who was down and fought his way back up and bettered his life. Unfortunately, there are always people out there looking to keep people down. Looking down on them from their perfect self-righteous pedestals. Wishing them well, but secretly smiling all-knowingly with their pompous self-righteous friends.
Go forth and prosper James Roy!
For James Roy to be transparent and honest about his struggle(s) is brave, generous and reflects his gratitude. I want someone who has the experience of being a survivor of odds that were against him and turns around and realizes the value of service. Sadly too many cannot get ahead or find a calling to seek a goal to succeed as well as be free of the shackle of addiction. Through recovery suffering becomes a strength and James Roy is young, strong and committed to our community. VOTE!!
Glad I read this interview. Getting over an addiction is very difficult. Therefore, to achieve success is a huge accomplishment that I believe deserves recognition. Mr. Roy has worked hard and has succeeded. He has my vote.
If Mr. Roy’s recovery and his willingness to divulge and explain the darkest time of his life, rather than what he can do for the city, is deemed critical in this election, let us hold this standard for all candidates running for city office. I’m going to guess the candidate’s running would quickly diminish in numbers. You are a strong person, James, and you have my vote.