Updated to add Ted Hess-Mahan’s endorsement of Nicole Castillo.
There are three City Council races where a successful challenger will guarantee an incumbent is unseated: Ward 1 At-Large, Ward 2 At-Large, Ward 5 At-Large, Ward 6 Ward*. In two three of those races, sitting councilors have taken the unusual step of endorsing challengers.
In the Ward 5 race, councilors Alison Leary, Deb Crossley, Jake Auchincloss, and Ted Hess-Mahan have endorsed Andreae Downs, whose victory would displace one of the incumbents, either Deb or Brian Yates. Reading between the lines, fair to say that the endorsements are intended to help Andreae defeat Brian (particularly Deb’s!).
In Ward 6, Deb and Alison are joined by Susan Albright to endorse Brenda Noel, who is challenging 4-term incumbent Dick Blazar. In Ward 1, Ted endorsed Nicole Castillo, who is challenging incumbents Jay Ciccone and Alison Leary. Ted also endorsed Alison, so we can deduce that he prefers Nicole over Jay.
As far as I can tell, there are no councilor endorsements for challengers in the Ward 2 race.
If I remember correctly, sitting councilors never use to endorse challengers against incumbents. In the last ten years, maybe there have been a handful. These endorsements seem to be serious statements of support.
* In the at-large races, there are two incumbents, meaning a challenger win (first or second in the polls) would unseat an incumbent. In the ward race, incumbent and challenger are vying for a single seat. In Ward 3, both challengers (Andrea Kelley and Julie Malikie) could outpoll James Cote and unseat him. But, at least one of the challengers will win and Jim could still retain his seat. Andrea has a slew of endorsements from sitting councilors.
You’re right Sean, this is highly unusual. Newton incumbents rarely endorse against their colleagues. Good for them….and possibly fun watching for us in the next two years if those incumbents prevail anyway.
I don’t like this at all! As someone who is relatively new to Newton politics, there is clearly a coalition of insiders (both Council People and Village 14 Moderators) who are attempting to be power brokers. When I see this it make me even more resolved to vote NO.
@Claire: Not everything has to be about the charter. These are sitting city councilors expressing their free speech rights to say who they would like to have join them on next year’s 24 member council. It’s a good thing.
It is all about collecting power that supports one’s perspective. The charter is just a part of that but to me it is the poster child.
When I drive by a house and I see the follow signs in combination it solidifies my impression that there is a coordinated power play underway:
Fuller
Crossley
Auchen..whatever
Kelley
Miller
Brenda
What exactly is the power play that connects those 6 candidates. It’s Jake Auchincloss – he’s a councilor at-large in Ward 2.
I believe Ted Hess-Mahan endorsed Dick Blazer in Ward 6.
Claire,
And, when I see Cote, Blazar, Malakie, Yates, Houston, No, that’s just good faith recognition of candidates who happen to share policy preferences?
The fact is that the city is pretty well aligned either pro- or anti-development. Lawn signs reflect it.
Lucia,
Dog bites man. Councilors endorsing their incumbent colleagues is typical. It’s the five different councilors, including Ted, endorsing against their incumbent colleagues that’s newsworthy.
But councilor Hess-Mahan did endorse Nicole Castillo and Alison Leary in Ward 1 at large over his colleague Jay Ciccone. On the other hand Hess-Mahan won’t be in office next year.
@ Sean, I would like a middle ground
Greg,
Didn’t see Ted (or any other councilor) on Nicole’s endorsement page. If you can point me to a reference, I’ll update the post.
@Sean: My source for that one is Village 14, a blog I learned about from a column in the Globe last week.
I find it interesting that Hess-Mahan wouldn’t burn his bridge when he ran against Setti Warren and how he has a torch. He must have a well funded touch down plan
Greg,
But, seriously, who reads the comments?
@Claire
“Auchen..whatever” – seriously???
And what “power play”? This is not national politics; we’re all residents who have opinions about what is best for our city and its future, and who will be personally affected by anything that gets decided. Of course people who think likewise would like to work together. You make it sound as if there is a hidden agenda in there somewhere.
Actually Patricia, that is exactly the impression I have (hidden agenda) I’ve read that you are a recent transplant to Newton as am I . The discussion here on Village 14 has been extremely illuminating of all the behind the scene intrigue and agenda’s.
As for “Auchen..whatever” I was just too tired to look up his name, but that probably came across snarky. Sorry Jake Auchincloss.
@Claire:
Interesting… I don’t get that at all. I do see two clear groups – residents who want little or no development and those who would like to see the city centers developed. The latter want to do so because they see this as moving forward with the times, as addressing the issue of housing (affordability, availability) and diversity. Both groups will vote for candidates that promise to deliver.
I am curious, what kind of hidden agenda do you think you see? What possible ulterior motive could there be? Kickbacks?
@Patricia: interesting that you can’t see it.