--- title: About --- [Skip to content](https://benharman.org/about#main-content) ![Email Banner](https://benharman.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Email%20Banner.png?width=350&height=197&name=Email%20Banner.png) - [Home](https://benharman.org/) - [About](https://benharman.org/about) - [News](https://benharman.org/news) - [Sign up](https://benharman.org/contact) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://benharman.org/) - [About](https://benharman.org/about) - [News](https://benharman.org/news) - [Sign up](https://benharman.org/contact) [DONATE](https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ben-harman-nbpt) # ABOUT ME ## My story Hi, my name is Ben Harman and I’m currently Newburyport’s Ward 4 City Councilor. I grew up in south Georgia but I’ve called Massachusetts home for 25 years. I arrived here in 2000 as a student at Boston University where I studied classical music. While I was thrilled to be able to pursue my passion academically, I was even more enthralled by my new home in New England. I met my husband in Boston, and we eventually made our way here to Newburyport, his hometown, and now my home too. I’ve loved getting to know the community here over the past several years, whether patronizing the many local businesses and restaurants we love, hosting an annual party for the Yankee Homecoming parade at our house on High Street, or ringing in the Pride celebration every June in Brown Square. In my professional life I work at a technology startup, where I serve as VP of People and Business Operations. What I love about operations is day-to-day problem-solving and making things work. And that’s the mindset I bring to my work on the Council.  I want our community to grow and thrive, and I believe that means making the community more accessible and welcoming, particularly to our neighbors who find it challenging to afford to live here. It also means investing in infrastructure to protect our drinking water and guard against the threats of climate change.   I believe in common-sense government, finding consensus to benefit the community, balancing our needs and the resources available, and working to find creative solutions. Together we can make progress for the betterment of our community. Best regards,  Ben   ![HRC Gala](https://benharman.org/hubfs/_DSC7755.jpeg) ![Machu Picchu](https://benharman.org/hubfs/IMG_2820.jpeg) ![Pats Grog](https://benharman.org/hubfs/IMG_6306.jpeg) ![cropped_square_dog](https://benharman.org/hubfs/cropped_square_dog.jpeg) [SIGN UP TO LEARN MORE](https://benharman.org/contact?hsLang=en) ## Campaign news: [![](https://benharman.org/hs-fs/hubfs/jon-tyson-jlE5absNvrE-unsplash.jpg?height=200&name=jon-tyson-jlE5absNvrE-unsplash.jpg)](https://benharman.org/news/practicing-democracy-right-here-at-home?hsLang=en) ## [Practicing Democracy, Right Here at Home](https://benharman.org/news/practicing-democracy-right-here-at-home?hsLang=en) [Ben Harman](https://benharman.org/news/author/ben-harman?hsLang=en) Oct 23, 2025 5:00:00 AM Earlier this month, I introduced two measures to the City Council that, while different in form,... [Read more](https://benharman.org/news/practicing-democracy-right-here-at-home?hsLang=en) [![](https://benharman.org/hs-fs/hubfs/cropped-dsc_0268.jpeg?height=200&name=cropped-dsc_0268.jpeg)](https://benharman.org/news/newburyport-livable-streets-candidate-survey?hsLang=en) ## [Newburyport Livable Streets Candidate Survey](https://benharman.org/news/newburyport-livable-streets-candidate-survey?hsLang=en) [Ben Harman](https://benharman.org/news/author/ben-harman?hsLang=en) Oct 19, 2025 7:47:59 PM Newburyport Livable Streets, a local advocacy group, asked candidates for their ideas about... [Read more](https://benharman.org/news/newburyport-livable-streets-candidate-survey?hsLang=en) [![](https://benharman.org/hs-fs/hubfs/daniel-mccullough-HtBlQdxfG9k-unsplash.jpg?height=200&name=daniel-mccullough-HtBlQdxfG9k-unsplash.jpg)](https://benharman.org/news/my-vision-for-the-future?hsLang=en) ## [Progress Together: My Vision for Newburyport’s Future](https://benharman.org/news/my-vision-for-the-future?hsLang=en) [Ben Harman](https://benharman.org/news/author/ben-harman?hsLang=en) Sep 14, 2025 8:03:31 PM When I first ran for City Council my goal was to bring a level-headed, collaborative approach to... [Read more](https://benharman.org/news/my-vision-for-the-future?hsLang=en) [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/harman4nbpt/) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/harman.nbpt.citycouncil) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjharman/) --- Committee to Elect Ben Harman, Newburyport, MA ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=733686301921987&ev=PageView&noscript=1)