Bryan Barash called Tarik Lucas to concede in the Ward 2 city council race, according to both candidates.
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Thats great news!!!!! Congrats to Tarik!!!
Congrats to Tarik! Hard fought victory for sure.
Congratulations Tarik!
Good job everyone, now let’s do the school committee.
Congrats Tarik. I’m hoping now that the Special Election is over we will see more candidates emerge for November. Looking forward to seeing some challengers for SC and for Mayor.
Congratulations Tarik. Not just on the win but on the sizable margin too.
The Citizens of Newton won tonight. Tarik will be a great addition to the City Council.
Congrats!!!
The margin is most surprising. Thoughts:
– parents fed up with schools were sending a message to the mayor?
– the pandemic has made newton residents appreciate the low density and single family home with yard lifestyle. They are sending a message to the council?
Congrats, Tarik, on your hard earned victory – it was a privilege to run in the same race as you and get to know you over the past few months!
Congrats Tarik on the hard fought win!
@David,
You have so much to offer…being gracious is one of your best qualities. I hope you stay in for future races!
Congratulations to Tarik (and John)!
Bugek, I agree with your assessment. You will note that neither Tarik nor John were endorsed by the NTA. I personally know of several parents who voted for them largely because of that reason (as well as their strong stance on getting back to in-person education without more delay).
Bugek, I’m going to say this as someone who voted for Bryan. I think people were turned off by the drama in the race and a lot of it was perpetuated by him. I think he’s a good man and would make a good councilor, but sometimes I got the feeling that he was relishing in the drama. I think he was hoping it would give him positive attention by highlighting things like the flag or screencapping offensive emails. Instead, I think it made him seem thin-skinned and like he was looking to pick fights. I think people are burnt out on the drama after 4 years of Trump. There was no drama coming from Tarik’s camp and it made him look like the bigger person. I certainly was turned off even though I still ultimately voted for Bryan, but I could see how it could turn people off for good. I’m just not sure Bryan has the correct political instincts to run for office.
Congratulations, Tarik!
Congratulations Tarik!
Mary Mary, you nailed my motivations. I did not see enough space on issues between the candidates (they are all for more low income housing, just a matter of degrees.) Looking for mature pragmatic leadership that will work with others to get things done and run the community. Am happy with the results.
Congratulations Tarik and John. When the election is over, we turn our backs to the drama and look to the future, which is all about 24 Councilors working together for the best of all in Newton. Those who step up and say “here I am”, I choose to serve my community as an elected official, receive my full respect and admiration for giving of time and self. To Tarik, Bryan, David, John and Maddy, I thank you for steeping up.
What I learned along the way of this contentious special election is more about the humanity that we must never miss: I learned that Tarik Lucas, the first black candidate to be elected to the Council in decades, will bring more than diversity but a welcomed and needed perspective that I am eager to fully engage. I learned that John Oliver is to be commended as an example to all that caring and engaging in your community on a daily basis and putting in the work can lead to governing. I learned that Bryan Barash is smart and passionate and has an amazing wife Claudia and some impressive passionate student supporters that care about Newton and our future. I learned that David Micley is a clear thinking intelligent newcomer to Newton politics who should keep engaged. I learned that Maddy Ranalli ran an honest campaign, is intelligent and wise beyond her years and understands the this is only the beginning for her.
If you think I am playing this right down the middle I sincerely thank you for that observation. I am tired, so tired from the polarized politics of this country and am saddened to see it in our wonderful City. The cliche is so true, that we have more that binds us than divides us. Nothing gets done if we are pressed up against the edges with our backs turned to the middle. We can review, renew, grow and evolve in all aspects of society and government if we come together. I know there is so much we agree on and can find the best path forward for all. And yes, Its not all about change but there are some things about our City that we choose to maintain and we all need to be sensitive to those as well. Maintain our schools, the character of our neighborhoods, etc. We can evolve while keeping the focus on what we cherish.
We have a lot of work ahead of us on the Council and I for one welcome our new members and look forward to meeting in the middle, which is where I see the path forward. Now is the time for reconciliation, which will leads to collaboration for the good of Newton…..
Bravo Rick Lipof. I know nobody in this city who is better able to keep perspective on elections than you.
Thank you Rick. Not that it’s a contest, but this is the best comment of this whole election cycle.
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to those who ran in this special election. All of you were worthy of serving. David, it is time for you to chop wood and carry water for a while, to establish your bona fides for a future role in the city that you love. I hope that you remain involved, and Maddy, too. The rest of us around here, sadly, are getting long in the tooth.
Thanks also to Rick Lipof, who has wise things to say.
I might add some other observations. Newton’s political class, the establishment Democrats, needs to be more attuned to its base. I am glad that the local committee finally has stopped endorsing candidates in these nondenominational elections. Last time around I had an extended back and forth with Sean Fitzgibbons, then head of the local Democratic committee, over its policy of endorsing one Democrat over another. “Leave it to the voters,” was and is my belief. And so it went this time.
As to the big issues: many residents with school-aged children were incensed that the school committee, including the mayor, didn’t seem interested enough in pushing the pace for the return to the classroom. That issue played out quietly but, I believe, decisively in these races.
Additionally, many residents are less than enthralled with plans to populate corridors like Washington Street with housing developments. Rightly or wrongly, they want to preserve what they can of an earlier time in the Garden City. I believe, however, that residents would be more accepting of development if those moving in were of more modest means and greater diversity. They haven’t bought in to the argument that Newton needs to contribute more actively to solving the housing shortage in greater Boston, especially if it means importing even more wealthy and privileged people. Many residents would also be excited if some of these affordable units were available to their parents and children. My daughter and son-in-law couldn’t afford to move here and now reside on the north shore. So be it.
These underlying beliefs, concerning education and development, may explain in part yesterday’s results.
(repeated from another thread) @Rick says it all, and very well!!! My personal Congratulations to Tarik and John, and a big thank you for running to Bryan, Maddy and David!! The city is a better place after an election that featured such great and dedicated candidates. Tarik and John get to jump right in with little pre-briefing and you’ll do fine, while I look forward to what Bryan, Maddy, and David bring to our future. Please stay involved!!
As a Veteran, seeing such a dedicated field makes my service worthwhile.
James Cote! How have you been! Nice seeing your face on this forum. Miss having you on the council (not a political statement, just thought you were a good voice in the room, and honest as the day is long).
Cheers, hope to here you more on this forum.
@Bob Jampol I think we were typing similar sentiments with slightly different words on different threads.
I agree.
@MMQC, agreed! While the grievances certainly got people talking, they enabled Tarik and John to position themselves as sensible candidates who would not bring unnecessary drama to City Hall.
And that picture of Tarik and his dad in their referee uniforms. Pure gold!
@Rick: You are your father’s son. I remember his humanity in the Aldermanic Chamber and see it alive in you.
@Bob Jampol: You are an eagle who sees the situations you describe from the aerie. It takes more than language. It takes perspective, and you have it!
@Sallee: My father’s Birthday was a few days ago. He has been gone 20 years. Your words mean more than you know. So kind. Thank you
Thank you @fignewtonville. I’m always excited to contribute, and in the political arena: I’ll be back.
@James Cote Does “I’ll be back” mean a mayoral campaign?
James “The Terminator” Cote.
Sorry, I’ll see myself out. ;-)
Also, good to know!
Also, Rick, I thought that was an excellent comment as well. You too Bob.