There is competition once again in the race for mayor of Dorchester race this spring, with two residents from the Polish Triangle competing for the title now held by Lily Rose, the dancer, model, and transactivist chosen last year, and the choice spot at the head of the Dorchester Day Parade on June 2.

Christopher McCoy, 57, and Maeghan Driscoll, 25, have launched spirited campaigns to raise the most money for the Dot Day celebrations and earn the title.

Even though the two Dorchester residents are technically competing for the title, McCoy doesn’t see it that way. “I know that I’m running against somebody, but I think we’re running together is what’s important,” said McCoy. “The more we make, the more we can contribute back to the community.”

Driscoll said she wants to help the community and get more involved at the same time.

Maeghan Driscoll Wants to be involved

 “I definitely want to be more involved in the community and hopefully in the future can run for an actual position like City Council,” said Driscoll. “Politics have always piqued my interest and I do like to be a leader.”

McCoy is originally from New York but has lived in Boston since 1993. In 2000, he and his husband moved from Fenway to Dorchester where they bought a historic single-family home in the Polish Triangle. It was the neighborhood’s rich history and diverse community that attracted them to Dorchester.  

Christopher McCoy; Civic activist

Since then, McCoy has become very involved in the community. Today he holds various civic roles including being a member of the board of directors at DotHouse Health and the president of DotOUT. 

“The rationale for putting myself in the honorary mayorship is just to give back on a different level and different platform,” McCoy told the Reporter. “I would like to encourage people to give back to their community in whatever way they can and stay engaged in the community. You can sit back and say you wish things were better, but you can only enact change by getting involved.”

In addition to his volunteer work, McCoy works for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center as the Antimicrobial Stewardship Associate Director and the PGY2 Infectious Diseases Residency director. 

“I like to run on fumes, it’s just always the way I’ve operated,” McCoy said. “There are tons of opportunities for engagement whether it be civic groups, charity organizations, volunteer opportunities, I think really encouraging that is important.”

If elected to this honorary position, McCoy hopes to help preserve Dorchester’s unique community.  “I don’t want to see Dorchester become an elite neighborhood where only well-off people can live,” he explained. “I want it to remain this welcoming neighborhood for people of all colors and incomes and preserve the diversity.” 

While McCoy has spent the last two decades in Dorchester, Driscoll was born and raised in the community. She is also very involved in the neighborhood and is a part of the McCormack Civic Association as well as the manager and part-owner of the Dot Tavern. 

Driscoll displays her ability to lead at the Dot Tavern where she oversees the bar’s marketing and helps put on various events. She is especially proud of her efforts to support other small businesses in the community. 

“Since I’ve been young it’s always been a goal of mine to have my own business, specifically something in the restaurant and bar industry,” said the St. Ann’s Parish native. “When I see other people doing it, I just like to support them because I understand their struggles. This last year I’ve appreciated small businesses a lot more because it’s a lot of work.”

In addition to her time at the tavern, Driscoll spent ten years working at McKenna’s Cafe in Savin Hill and has felt a lot of support from this neighborhood in her running so far. For her fundraising efforts, she has hosted brunch at the Harp and Bard, had trivia nights at the Dot Tavern, and will be hosting a Kentucky Derby party in May. 

If elected Driscoll, like McCoy, hopes to improve the home she already loves so much. “I want to use it to be a good middleman between the community and actual politicians,” said Driscoll. “I’ve talked about more trash cans in the neighborhood. Speed bumps are a big thing. Stuff that isn’t probably important to real politicians but good for the neighborhood.”

Donations can be made to both candidates online on McCoy and Driscoll’s GoFundMe pages.