Election – Everett Leader Herald

A comprehensive review of municipal election voting figures for Nov. 7

Leader Herald Staff

The Leader Herald reported the unofficial election result numbers, which were lower than the actual official count.

• Turnout was actually higher, around 4,892 voters. This is much closer to the 2019 election results, where turnout was 5,001 voters, which was another year where there was no competitive mayoral race on the ballot. (For comparison, 2017 turnout was 4,334).

• This is an important distinction because some are trying to dismiss the election results, or minimize their importance, based on “unusually low turnout.” Turnout was not unusually low. It was consistent with similar local election results in recent history. It is only “low” in comparison to competitive mayoral elections or state/national elections, which have drawn more turnout than municipal elections for decades and decades.

• Based on a voter file analysis of the 4,892 voters who turned out last Tuesday, an astounding 56% were women. This is definitely statistically much higher than usual. (Normally it’s more of a 51/49 or 52/48 percent split in favor of women). It’s not difficult to imagine why, after the way the superintendent and some women elected officials like Samantha Lambert have been treated over the last two years, women turned out in higher numbers than usual and voted the way they did.

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Van Campen’s strong comeback win bid

By Josh Resnek

Many years have passed since Attorney and former Ward Councilor Robert Van Campen made a serious bid for public office.

In 2013, when Van Campen last ran, he faced Mayor Carlo DeMaria.

As campaigns go, it was more tepid than heated, more professional and subdued than raucous and unrestrained.

DeMaria smoked him in a campaign that was never close.

What marked Van Campen then is what marks him today. That is, he takes a great deal of pride in being above the board about his life and politics. He will not go into the gutter to win an election.

He has too much respect for himself and others to take a contentious route.

Vivien Nguyen is the both youngest woman and first Vietnamese woman living in this city to serve on the city council.

Nguyen’s term in office has been marked by her generally quiet demeanor.

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Alcy Letter To Editor

Dear Everett,

My Name is Guerline Alcy and I’m running for Council At- Large.

I am asking for your support to get one of your votes on November 7.

I’m a longtime Everett Resident, a mother of 3 wonderful boys, and a wife. My passion is helping people and have been doing so throughout the community for many years. As your Councilor, I will collaborate with many organizations to bring much-needed resources to our city.

As a community, we can work together to find a solution to alleviate homelessness in the city by working in collaboration with the homeowners to provide incentives to them that will allow them to help their tenants avoid evictions. Together, we can achieve the impossible.

As a long-time Everett resident, one of the biggest issues that come up when I speak to voters is housing. Everett needs safe, healthy, accessible, affordable housing. We are currently undergoing an extreme housing crisis in this city, and our current leadership has yet to introduce any real plans or solutions on how to fix it.

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Mastrocola leads Babcock in SC Ward 4 balloting; some think race is tied

**Robin Babcock faces an uphill battle to catch opponent James Mastrocola. The insurance man running for school committee.**

By Josh Resnek

Thomas Messina, Jr. did not succeed in the primary last week.

Yet many believe his 71 vote total may be the difference between winning and losing for both candidates – James Mastrocola and Robin Babcock.

Mastrocola proved having a good name aids in getting out a good vote in a primary in Everett.

He scored 252 votes against Babcock, who also has a good name, but not a politically based reputation like the Mastrocola Family, of which James Mastrocola is a family member.

Babcock got 181 votes.

Babcock’s strength comes from her well known position in public school circles in Everett.

In a ward with just so many votes to go around, the battle now will be to gain Messina’s 71 votes.

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Smith, Alcy, Rogers surprise in at-large; Marchese, Hanlon remain strong

By Josh Resnek

The at-large primary contest proved to be newsworthy in several ways.

Incumbent Councilor at Large Stephanie Smith’s impressive topping of the ticket by nearly 300 votes revealed just how much of a positive effect her leadership on the city council has meant to her political prospects.

It likely sets her up as the biggest vote getter in November. The gap of victory between Smith and incumbent councilors Mike Marchese and John Hanlon, signals her likely rise as a potential ticket topper in November.

Mind you, Marchese and Hanlon finished with strong vote numbers.

Marchese got 1099. Hanlon received 1033.

However the biggest surprise of the primary was the fourth place finish of photographer Katie Rogers with 917 votes and Guerline Alcy with 909.

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