Low voter turnout causes upset wins in City Council, School Committee races

By Neil Zolot

In one of the worst voter turnouts, a paltry 19.39% – 4,382 ballots – were cast of the city’s 22,602 registered voters on Tuesday’s General Election. In unofficial results, five incumbent City Councilors and three incumbent School Committee members lost their races.

In the race for five City Council At-Large seats, incumbent Michael Marchese led the field with 2,271 votes, with incumbent Stephanie Smith second with 2,221. “My thanks to the residents for their continued support,” she said. “It shows me the residents understand the work I do and the votes I take are to make the city a better place for everyone.”

Newcomers Guerline Alcy and Katy Rogers finished third and fourth with 1,798 and 1,762 votes, while incumbent John Hanlon was fifth with 1,626. Newcomer Maria Bussell finished out of the running in sixth with 1,454 votes, with incumbent Irene Cardillo in seventh with 1,168, ahead of newcomers David Senatillaka (1,087), Joseph Pierotti (955) and AngelMarie DiNunzio (632). There were 62 miscellaneous write-in votes and 6,876 blank ballots.

Among the ward races, incumbent Wayne Matewsky was reelected with 323, defeating Kenneth Giannelli’s 186, with 16 write-ins and 67 blanks. In Ward 2, incumbent Stephanie Martins defeated Joetta Yutkins, 449-188, with 6 write-ins and 41 blanks. In Ward 3, Anthony DiPierro defeated incumbent Darren Costa, 550-433, with 1 write-in and 40 blanks.

In Ward 4, Holly Garcia defeated incumbent Jimmy Tri Le, 497-385, with 7 write-ins and 47 blanks. “I worked very hard and happy the award will have a representative that can actually attend the meetings,” Garcia said, a reference to Tri Le being prohibited from attending meetings due to alleged misconduct towards another Councilor.

In Ward 5, former Councillor Robert Van Campen defeated incumbent Vivian Nguyen, 438-301, with 2 write-ins and 19 blanks. In Ward 6, Peter Pierantonio defeated incumbent Alfred Lattanzi, 421-348, with 4 write-ins and 21 blanks.

Incumbent Samantha Lambert led the field in the race for three School Committee at-Large seats with 1,822 votes, but incumbent Cynthia Sarnie finished out of the running in fourth with 1,527. “I want to thank all my supporters,” she said.

Looking on the bright side, she added, “Now I get to spend time with my family.”

Newcomer Samantha Hurley finished second with 1,706 followed by incumbent Joseph LaMonica with 1,543. “I want to thank my supporters for their continued support and will continue to work hard for the children of Everett,” said LaMonica.

Also finishing out of the running were Kristin Bairos with 1,450 and Farah Costa, wife of Darren Costa, with 1,297. There were also 31 write-ins and 3,802 blanks.

Among the ward races, newcomer Margaret Cornelio defeated incumbent Millie Cardello, 288-252, with 3 write-ins and 70 blanks. “I’m okay with it,” Cardello said of the outcome. “The city has been good to me and I feel like I’ve given back to the city. I wanted to stay for the right reasons. I don’t have an agenda except what’s best for the city and hope those newly elected do the right thing.”

In Ward 2, newcomer Joanna Garren defeated incumbent Jason Marcus, 361-282, with 4 write-ins and 37 blanks. In the open Ward 4 race to succeed Michael Mangan, Robin Babcock defeated James Mastrocola, 450-391, with 2 write-ins and 61 blanks. In the open Ward 6 race to succeed Micheal McLaughlin, Joseph D’Onofrio defeated Thomas Abruzzese, 369-356, with 5 write-ins and 51 blanks. “I’m excited,” D’Onofrio reacted.

Running unopposed in Ward 3, Jeanne Cristiano received 646 votes, with 19 write-ins and 268 blanks. Also running unopposed, in Ward 5, Marcony Almeida-Barros received 477 votes, with 5 write-ins and 173 blanks.

Although the turnout was higher than the 12% in the September Preliminary Election, objectively it was low, which enhances the voting power of those who do vote. Some polling location wardens noticed the higher turnout, particularly in the late afternoon and early evening. “It was slow in the morning, but picked up around 4,” Ward 5, Precinct 2 warden Linda Shedden said at the City Hall polling site.

“We had a little more than in September,” Ward 5, Precinct 3 warden Philomena Mullen said at the Parlin School polling site.

At other sites, wardens felt the turnout was the same as in September. “We seem to be on target for the same number of people,” Ward 4, Precinct 1 warden Laurence Arinello said at the Lafayette School site.

“I thought there would be more, but it’s pretty much the same,” Ward 4, Precinct 3 warden Kathleen Arinello added, also at Lafayette.