Preliminary election season continues across the commonwealth this Tuesday, with voters in New Bedford heading to the polls to choose candidates who will advance to the Nov. 7 general election.
Local interest in the races in this Bristol County community is running high.
New Bedford Elections Board Chairperson Manuel DeBrito, told the New Bedford Light, an online news site, that, compared to the 2019 city elections, he’s thus far seen an increase in early voting and mail-in ballots.
Here’s a look at those races and who’s on the ballot.
Mayor:
Incumbent Mayor Jon Mitchell faces challenges from hopefuls Nathan J. Almeida, Ryan Duarte, Michael Janson, Xavier R. Cardona, and Richard Tyson Moultrie, who’s reprising a 2019 challenge according to news reports.
If he eventually wins, Mitchell will capture his sixth term in the top spot, and second, consecutive four-year term, according to the Standard-Times. You can read the candidates’ stances on the key issues facing the city here.
According to the New Bedford Light, Moultrie has faced scrutiny of his claims about homeownership, military service, and employment.
Janson is a perennial candidate who’s run for mayor at least nine times, the New Bedford Light reported, citing data compiled by Ballotpedia. A former seafood broker, he’s also lost elections for City Council, the local school committee, and the Massachusetts state House of Representatives, the online news site reported.
The top two vote-getters advance to the general election.
City Council Ward 5:
Two of the four candidates running for the seat being vacated by incumbent Councilor Scott Lima (who’s running for an at-large seat) will advance to the November canvass, the newspaper reported. Those candidates are Joseph P. Lopes, Zachery R. Boyer, Carlos M. Maiato, Ian Marcus Saunders.
Councilor At-Large:
Ten of the 12 candidates running for five at-large seats on City Council get to advance to the Nov. 7 general election, according to news reports.
In addition to Lima, those candidates include Shane A. Burgo, (incumbent); Guelmie Santiago; Arya Pixlie Witner; Ian Abreu, (incumbent); Naomi R.A. Carney, (incumbent); Linda M. Morad, (incumbent); Bruce Wayne Duarte Jr.; Devin B. Byrnes; Joyce Rowley; Carmen F. Amaral; Brian K. Gomes, (incumbent), the newspaper reported.
The polls are open for all races from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
