More negative tactics emerge this election season
This week the Newton Patch ran a Letter to the Editor signed by 19 architects and builders, dated October 2021, stating their opposition to the proposed changes to the residential zoning code. The letter outlines several issues they have with form-based zoning,...
Amy Mah Sangiolo is running for mayor
Former City Councilor Amy Mah Sangiolo announced today that she is running for mayor this fall. I believe she is the first candidate* to announce a run against incumbent Mayor Ruthanne Fuller. Her press release follows: Here’s the Boston Globe story. *According...
Post your election predictions here
For those of us who love the math of elections, here’s a chance to post your predictions. Same grand prize as always: winner gets a free subscription to Village 14. What do you think the spread is going to be in the two races? and What’s turnout going to...
Who’s splitting their vote?
I’m reluctant to start yet another thread about the election but I’m optimistic (naive?) enough to hope that this could start a more balanced conversation. All the talk has been about slates: Barash/Ranalli vs Lucas/Oliver (my apologies to David Micley who...Politico: Newton voters like Mayor Fuller
Politico reports today that Mayor Ruthanne Fuller has a 71% job approval rating, according to a poll commissioned by her reelection campaign. From Politico: FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: NEWTON VOTERS APPROVE OF MAYOR’S COVID RESPONSE — Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller...
Ward 2 candidates’ statements on hate speech
In the closing weeks toward next Tuesday’s special election, there has been a lot of talk and electronic messaging about incidents of hateful speech, and there have been calls for candidates to come out with statements denouncing such incidents. Among the three...
Guidelines for the Area Councils Debate Held on February 21, 2021
I am posting this on behalf of the Area Councils Debate working group (of which I am a member) to clear up any confusion. All candidates received the February 17, 2021 email and attachment reprinted in their entirety at the end of this statement. As was clearly stated...New PAC Emerges to “Save Nonantum”
A Political Action Committee recently filed with the state that appears to have the goal of trying to “Save Nonantum.” Says the website: “Nonantum is under attack by a group of radical politicians who want to end our traditions and eliminate our...Barash and Lucas eye Ward 2 City Council seat
John Hilliard at the Globe looks at a likely matchup between Tarik Lucas and Bryan Barash for the Ward 2 At Large City Council seat presuming that Jake Auchincloss succeeds Joe Kennedy in Congress in January.Pundits: Our next Congressperson could be someone most voters don’t support
From Zane Razzaq at the MetroWest Daily news…
With eight Democratic hopefuls battling to succeed Rep. Joe Kennedy in Congress, less than 20% of the vote could be enough to win.
In other words, the party’s nominee for the 4th Congressional District could be someone the vast majority of voters do not support. Under the current voting system, the candidate who receives the most votes wins. It’s mathematically possible for one of them to win the Sept. 1 primary with just 16% to 20% of the vote.
“In races like this one, you could end up with someone winning who does not really reflect the entire district. They may have more money or endorsements that delivered
This wouldn’t happen with ranked choice voting
Massachusetts voters are evenly split on a ballot question that would fundamentally change how they select candidates for state and federal office, according to a WBUR poll conducted by the MassINC Polling Group. But David Cavell said yesterday that decision to drop...