Incumbents win at-large primary race; stage set for General Election

9,582 cast their votes in at-large, ward 4, 6 city council and school committee races

By Neil Zolot

Incumbent Stephanie Smith topped the field in the preliminary election for Councilor at Large seats with 1,198 votes on Tuesday, September 19. “I’m excited about the vote and looking forward to November,” she said, a reference to the General Election Tuesday, November 7. “I worked hard in the campaign and on the Council for the last two years.”

(All numbers are unofficial as of press time. Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, a primary is an election to help determine the nominee of a political party, while a preliminary election is held when there are more than two candidates per seat.)

Incumbents Michael Marchese and John Hanlon finished second and third with 1,041 and 951 votes, respectively. “I’m very satisfied,” Hanlon said of the results. “I didn’t campaign; didn’t put a sign out, but will now. The signs are ready to go.”

While still qualifying for the General Election, incumbent Irene Cardillo finished seventh with 582 votes, behind newcomers Guerline Alcy (868 votes), Katy Rogers (851) and Maria Busell (683), but ahead of newcomers still qualifying for the General Election: Angelmarie Dinunzio (521), Joseph Pierroti, Jr. (501) and David LaRosa Senatillaka (397).

Senatillaka had pulled papers for City Council and School Committee but decided to run for City Council. “I felt I could serve in either capacity, but felt my strong suit would be with the City Council,” he said. “I’m interested in education, but what I want to do for the disabled, senior citizens and veterans is under the purview of the Council.”

Kisan Upadhaya and Shaskia Bosquet did not qualify for the General Election, finishing 11th and 12th with 338 and 204 votes, respectively.

In the Ward 4 City Council race, newcomer Holly Garcia topped the field with 241 votes, with incumbent Jimmy Tri Le, who has been prohibited from attending meetings due to alleged misconduct, finishing second and qualifying for the General Election with 238. Kimberly Kit Bridge finished third with 55. “I’m very excited,” Garcia reacted. “It’s good to top the primary.”

In the Ward 4 School Committee race to succeed Michael Mangan, James Mastrocola and Robin Babcock qualified for the General Election with 252 and 180 votes, respectively, with Thomas Messina behind with 71.

In a tight Ward 6 School Committee race to succeed Michael McLaughlin, Thomas Abruzzese and Joseph D’Onofrio qualified for the General Election with 138 and 125 votes, respectively, with Pattiann Scalesse and Daniel Skerrit finishing behind with 84 and 63 votes, respectively. “As a first-time candidate I’m pleased with the number I got,” D’Onofrio said. “I put in the right amount of time to get the votes.”

Only 12% of approximately 22,000 registered voters in a city of approximately 49,000 people voted. (In discussion of various grants at the September 11 City Council meeting, Director of Planning and Development Matt Lattanzi said having a population below 50,000 makes Everett ineligible for grants cities over 50,000 could get.) Only 66 people had voted in the Keverian Room at City Hall by 6 p.m. “It’s a local primary without a Presidential, Senate, Congressional or Mayoral race,” voting site warden Linda Shedden commented.

Under 65 people had voted in two precincts at the Parlin School by 6:30. Site wardens John and Philomena Mullen reported voting was slow but steady. “There aren’t that many contested races,” Philomena said.

On the other hand, by 7:30 p.m., 239 people had voted in two Ward 4 precincts at the Lafayette School, perhaps due to two contested races in the Ward. Kathleen and Lawrence Arinello were the site wardens.

A total of 183 people had voted at 21 Whittier Dr. by 5:45, perhaps due to its proximity to apartments with many senior citizens, a group that votes in high percentages. “This location does a little better than others,” site warden Ruthy Dottin said. “People are within walking distance.”

Having more than two candidates per seat requires a preliminary election. Some didn’t draw enough candidates to require one, but will be contested in the General Election in November, including Ward 1 Councilor between Kenneth Giannelli and incumbent Wayne Matewsky, Ward 2 Councilor between Joetta Yutkins and incumbent Stephanie Martins, Ward 3 Councilor between incumbent Darren Costa and Anthony DiPierro, Ward 5 Councilor between Robert Van Campen and incumbent Vivian Nguyen, Ward 6 Councilor between incumbent Alfred Lattanzi and Peter Pietrantonio, Ward 1 School Committee Member between incumbent Millie Cardello and Margaret Cornelio and Ward 2 School Committee Member between Joanna Garren and incumbent Jason Marcus.

Incumbent Jeanne Cristiano is running unopposed for the Ward 3 School Committee seat as is incumbent Marcony Almeida Barros in Ward 5.

School Committee at-Large candidates are Kristin Bairos, Farah Costa (wife of Ward 3 Councilor Darren Costa), Samantha Hurley, incumbent Samantha Lambert, incumbent Joseph LaMonica and incumbent Cynthia Sarnie.