Election season shaping up in Gardner: Here's what to know so far.
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Another election season in Gardner is right around the corner.
A primary in the special election for the state Senate is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 10 to fill the vacancy in the Worcester and Hampshire District caused by the resignation of Sen. Anne Gobi, D-Spencer. Gobi resigned the seat to take a position in the Gov. Healey administration
Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik, D-Gardner, has announced that he will run for the seat, which covers 22 communities, including Gardner, Hubbardston, Templeton and Westminster. Two Republicans – Rep. Peter Durant of Spencer and Rebekah Etique – are also running for the seat.
Gardner city election
In the local election, Mayor Michael Nicholson will face at least one challenger vying to lead the city for the next two years, as Martin Gray has pulled papers to have his name appear on the ballot for the city election on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
At least nine candidates have pulled papers to run for the six open councilor-at-large seats, with incumbents including City Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas, George Tyros, Craig Cormier, Ronald Cormier and Judy Mack. Challengers to date include James Hunt, Brad Heglin, Carolyn Kamuda and Elizabeth Clemence.
Former Mayor Mark Hawke and David Thibault-Munoz are running for Ward 1 Councilor after incumbent James Walsh announced he would not see re-election.
Incumbent Ward 4 Councilor Karen Hardern will face challenger Sean Sheehan, while Ward 2 Councilor Dana Heath, Ward 3 Councilor Paul Tassone, and Ward 5 Councilor Aleksander Dernalowicz were running unopposed at press time.
Vying for the three open seats on the School Committee are incumbents Rachel Cormier, Robert Swartz and John Lafreniere. Challengers include Stephen Sandoval and Brandon Richard Hughey.
Election deadlines
The deadline for candidates to file their nomination papers with the City Clerk is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15.
The last day to register to be eligible to vote in the preliminary election is Saturday, Sept. 30, and the last day to request a mail-in ballot for the preliminary election is Monday, Oct. 2.
The last day to register to be eligible to vote in the city election is Saturday, Oct. 28, and the last day to request a mail-in ballot is Thursday, Oct. 31.
According to the City Clerk’s Office, a preliminary election will be held citywide if there are more than two candidates for mayor, if there are more than 12 candidates for councilor-at-large, or if there are more than six candidates for the School Committee. The preliminary election, if needed, will be held on Oct. 10, the date of the primary election for the state Senate race.
Candidates need the certified signatures of 50 registered Gardner voters to qualify as a candidate for nomination. Potential candidates are urged to obtain more than 50 signatures as some may be disqualified because they are duplicates, illegible, the signer is not a registered voter, or the signer is not registered at the address written on the papers.
A list of candidates will be posted following final certification of nomination papers.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Gardner elections: Candidates for mayor, senator to replace Anne Gobi
