New Bedford Municipal Election Nov. 7 comes next. Who are the candidates?

Frank Mulligan, The Standard-Times
Updated ·5 min read
The committee did OK Mayor Mitchell's proposed ordinance to step up fines to problem landlords who rack up multiple inspection violations per year. That ordinance will now go before the full council for final approval.

NEW BEDFORD — The Municipal Election on Nov. 7 will feature a mayoral rematch, and races for city councilor-at-large and for the Ward 1 and Ward 5 council seats.

Jon Mitchell took the top spot in the mayoral portion of the preliminary election, totaling 2,544 votes to No. 2 finisher, Richard Tyson Moultrie, who had 357 votes.

That sets up a municipal election rematch on Nov. 7. Mitchell took 72% of the vote over Moultrie, winning 6,778 to 2,483, in the municipal election four years ago.

In the 2019 preliminary election, Mitchell and Moultrie both actually did better than in 2023. Mitchell took 3,150 votes to 596 for Moultrie. The turnout was 9.5% that year vs. 6.1% this year.

Like 2023, there were six mayoral candidates in 2019. Councilor Brian Gomes took second in 2019 with 1,118 votes, but he dropped out of the mayoral race the day after the preliminary, setting up Mitchell vs. Moultrie.

Heading into this year's Municipal Election, Mitchell has $284,708.22 in campaign funds as of an Oct. 3 filing with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Moultrie had $75.58 as of a Dec. 2, 2022 filing.

Mitchell posted on his Facebook page last Tuesday night following the election results, "I’m grateful for and humbled by the support I received in today’s preliminary election. My commitment remains to get up every morning and do my very best for the residents of New Bedford. Our city has momentum, and we will not skip a beat."

Mitchell said in a statement to the Standard-Times on why he was seeking a sixth term, "I take pride in the fact that my administration has done what I said it would do. And the results speak for themselves.

"Working together, we have reduced the city’s unemployment from 13% to 5%, raised the four-year graduation rate in our schools and the city’s bond rating to their highest points ever, reduced crime by over 30%, built new public spaces like the HarborWalk and CoveWalk, and ushered in the offshore wind industry amid hundreds of millions of dollars in new port infrastructure."

Moultrie posted on his Facebook page last Wednesday morning, "My family and I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who came out and voted yesterday. Your belief in my ability to lead our great city is both an honor and a privilege. Together, I hope we will inspire greater civic engagement and higher voter turnout, showing that when a community comes together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

"As we move forward towards the General Election on November 7, 2023, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Our work is far from over, but with your continued support and dedication, I am confident that we can build a brighter and more prosperous future for all residents of our city. Together, we will address the challenges that face us, create opportunities for growth and prosperity, and ensure that New Bedford remains a place we are all proud to call home."

Ten candidates will be vying for the five at-large council seats.

In order of their finish in the preliminary, they are: Ian Abreau, 2,067 (incumbent); Shane Burgo, 1,711 (incumbent); Brian Gomes, 1,527, (incumbent); Linda Morad, 1,447, (incumbent); Naomi Carney, 1,434, (incumbent); Scott Lima, 1,386, (incumbent); Devin B. Byrnes, 1,170; Bruce Wayne Duarte Jr., 873; Guelmie Santiago, 852.

The tenth finisher was Carmen Amaral, but she had opted to withdraw from the race prior to the preliminary. She made her withdrawal official with the Election Commissioners' Office Friday.

Eleventh-place finisher Joyce Rowley will now proceed to the Municipal Election Nov. 7.

In the preliminary race for Ward 5 city councilor, former Ward 6 city councilor and council president Joseph P. Lopes came out on top with 666 votes. The number two finisher and his opponent in November, Zachary R. Boyer, received 377 votes.

The only contested race in the Municipal Election that didn't draw enough candidates for the preliminary election is for Ward 1 councilor. The candidates are Leo Choquette and incumbent William "Brad" Markey.

Incumbent candidates running unopposed in the Municipal Election are:

City Council

Ward 2, Maria E. Giesta

Ward 3, Shawn Oliver

Ward 4, Derek Baptiste

Ward 6, Ryan Joseph Pereira

School Committee

Bruce J. Oliveira

Joaquim B. Livramento Jr.

Christopher Allen Cotter

Assessor-at-large

Martin "Marty" Treadup

Important Municipal Election dates

Oct. 27 by 5 p.m. is the last day and hour to register to vote for the Municipal Election.

Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in-person early voting at Main Public Library.

Oct. 31 by 5 p.m. is the last day and hour to apply for a mail-in or absentee election ballot.

Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in-person early voting at Taber Mills.

Nov. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in-person early voting at Hazelwood Senior Center.

Nov. 6 by noon, last day and hour to apply for in-person absentee election ballot.

Nov. 7, Municipal Election, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Nov. 17 by 5 p.m., last day and hour to file for a recount for the Municipal Election.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford Municipal Election features three council races