Everett voters head to the polls on Tuesday, Election Day

By Neil Zolot

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. The headlining race is for Mayor. Multi-term office holder Carlo DeMaria is running for reelection against challenger Ward 5 Councillor Robert Van Campen. “I expect around 7,000 voters, but it could be a few hundred more or less,” City Clerk Sergio Cornelio said. That would represent about 29% of 23-24,000 eligible voters, higher than turnouts of around 13% in primary elections in April and September of 2024, but less than the general election turnout of 50% in November, which included a presidential race.

In two- and four-year terms, DeMaria has been Mayor since 2008, after winning the 2007 election to succeed John Hanlon, who is now a City Councillor. DeMaria is running on his record, highlighting economic growth in the city. Van Campen is running on a need for change, highlighting allegations the Mayor has received undue longevity pay that was approved by the City Council. Despite Van Campen and his council cronies’ protests, the state Inspector General as well as the Mass. Attorney General found no wrongdoing.

“This election is about you and everyone who calls Everett home,” DeMaria said in a message to voters. “I have spent the past 18 years focused on achieving progress to improve the lives of our residents and not wasting taxpayers’ time or money. Others may try to take credit for these accomplishments and intentionally misrepresent my record, but I know the voters of Everett who appreciate the 18 years of progress they literally can see around our city will not be fooled by six months of false promises. No matter what others have done to try and tear me down personally, I have never lost my focus on continuing to bring jobs, housing, better educational opportunities and improved public transportation to Everett. I ask that you join our team and continue to move Everett forward.”

“When this campaign was launched last June, I said Everett was hungry for change,” Van Campen said. “Thousands of conversations since then have confirmed it. The energy, passion and momentum behind this movement are stronger than ever. The people of Everett want a Mayor who puts them first. I humbly ask voters to join me in this moment for change. Together we’ll restore trust in City Hall, address the school overcrowding crisis, tackle the traffic issues plaguing the City and ensure Everett grows without leaving anyone behind.”

Unlike in some other communities, terms on the City Council and School Committee are not staggered, so each seat is subject to an election every two years.

Candidates for five at-Large City Council seats include current at-Large Councillors John Hanlon, Guerline Alcy Jabouin, Michael Marchese, Katy Rogers and Stephanie Smith and Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Matewsky. The other candidates are Matthew Costello, Jean Daniel and Tina Oliveri.

With Van Campen running for Mayor and Matewsky running at-Large, the Ward 1 and 5 seats are open. Candidates for Ward 1 are Michele Capone and former City Councillor and current Assistant City Clerk Peter Napolitano. Candidates for Ward 5 are Joseph Gaff and former Councillor Vivian Nguyen, who was defeated by Van Campen in 2023.

In Ward 2, current Councillor Stephanie Martins is running unopposed. In Ward 3, the candidates are current Councillor Anthony DiPierro and Maria Russell. In Ward 4, the candidates are current Councillor Holly Garcia and Cynthia Salazar. In Ward 6, the race is a rematch of the 2023 election, when challenger Peter Pietratonio defeated incumbent Alfred Lattanzi. This year the roles are reversed.

For three School Committee seats at-Large the candidates include incumbents Kristin Bairos, Chair Samantha Hurley and Joseph LaMonica. Other candidates are James Booker, Millie Cardello and former City Councillor Darren Costa, who also pulled papers to run for City Council but decided to run for School Committee.

For Ward 2, the candidates are incumbent Joanna Garren and Jason Marcus. For Ward 6, the candidates are incumbent Joseph D’Onofrio and former School Committee member Thomas Abruzzese. Ward 1 member Margaret Cornelio, Ward 3 member and Vice Chair Jeanne Cristiano, Ward 4 member Robin Babcock and Ward 5 member Marcony Almeida Barros are running unopposed.

A preliminary election, or primary, usually scheduled in September, was unnecessary because the slates for Mayor, City Council and School Committee contained only two or fewer candidates per seat.