Tuesday may have been unseasonably warm, but voters still stayed away from the polls in Tuesday’s preliminary election in New Bedford, with just 6.6% of registered voters showing up to cast their ballots in the Bristol County community, according to a published report.
New Bedford’s incumbent mayor, Jon Mitchell, who’s seeking a sixth term in the city’s top spot, and his second, consecutive four-year term, will face businessman Richard Tyson Moultrie in the Nov. 7 general election, the New Bedford Light, an online news site, reported.
Mitchell finished with 2,544 votes in the preliminary Tuesday and Moultrie had 357 votes, WBSM-AM radio reported, citing unofficial tallies.
Mitchell’s win on Tuesday also sets up a rematch of his 2019 campaign against Moultrie, who has faced scrutiny of his claims about homeownership, military service, and employment, the New Bedford Light reported.
“I’m grateful for and humbled by the support I received in today’s preliminary election,” Mitchell said in a statement he posted to his Facebook page. “My commitment remains to get up every morning and do my very best for the residents of New Bedford. Our city has momentum, and we will not skip a beat.”
In all, six candidates were vying for the mayoralty, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election.
In the race for Ward 5 for City Council, Zachary R. Boyer faces Joseph P. Lopes, according to the Light. They emerged from a four-person field that also included hopefuls Carlos M. MaiatoIan and Marcus Saunders, the online news site reported, citing unofficial tallies.
Ten of the 12 candidates running for five at-large seats on City Council also advanced on Tuesday.
According to the Light, they are: Ian Abreu, Shane A. Burgo, Naomi R. A. Carney, Brian K. Gomes, Linda M. Morad, Carmen F. Amaral, Devin B. Byrnes, Bruce Wayne Duarte Jr., Scott John Lima, and Guelmie Santiago, the Light reported.
