By Josh Resnek
A modest slate of political hopefuls have pulled their papers for the upcoming municipal election. So far, only five candidates have been certified out of a field of 36 candidates for city councilor at large, ward councilor and for the school committee combined.
The councilor at large contest has set off a primary watch.
There are presently 11 candidates for 5 seats.
Only longtime councilor, the incumbent Mike Marchese and a newcomer, James Lavecchio have had their signatures certified.
“There is no primary unless every one of the 11 submits their signatures and they are subsequently certified,” said the city’s Election Commission Executive Director Linda-Lee Angiolillo.
More than 2 candidates for a ward council seat requires a primary as well.
To date, no such situation has come to be.
Wards 2, 4, 5 and 6 have contests between the incumbent councilors and opponents.
On the school committee ballot we presently find 6 candidates for 3 at-large seats, and contests for ward seats in 1, 4, and 6.