It was tied in November, but tonight's Framingham special election results were clear

Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News
·4 min read

FRAMINGHAM — City Councilor Adam Steiner left no doubt about who will be representing District 3 after a special election on Tuesday.

Steiner earned 716 votes to challenger Mary Kate Feeney's 532, according to unofficial results.

"This was obviously a long and arduous process and I am so honored to be selected again for this responsibility," Steiner said in a statement posted to his Facebook campaign page. "I will work hard over the next two years to represent all voters of District 3 and all of the residents of Framingham."

The election represented a rematch between the two candidates. They faced off in the Nov. 2 municipal election, a race that Steiner won by just two votes, 997-995. The razor-thin margin resulted in a recount, where Steiner’s lead evaporated into a tie that was later overturned by a Middlesex Superior Court judge.

Incumbent Framingham District 3 city councilor Adam Steiner and supporters hold signs in the bitter cold outside the Brophy Elementary School during a special election to determine the winner of the council seat, Jan. 11, 2021. A recount after the Nov. 2 municipal election resulted in a tie between Steiner and challenger Mary Kate Feeney and a "failure to elect". A Middlesex Superior Court judge ruled that a special election was the fairest way to determine the outcome.

Turnout was 22.6%, with 1,249 voters coming to Brophy Elementary School to cast a vote. According to the city, 5,515 registered voters live in District 3.

Reached on Wednesday, Steiner, who was first elected to the council in 2017, said he believed voters had more time to examine both candidates, saying in November some may have been more focused on the mayoral race.

He also praised Feeney, calling her "absolutely a leader in our city."

"She ran a brilliant campaign," said Steiner. "It's not just lip service — when she's ready, I hope she'll be willing to work with me and city leadership. Her voice is one that's needed."

District 3 encompasses Precincts 4 and 7.

Maureen Dunne of Framingham is well bundled for the bitter cold as she campaigns on behalf of her son-in-law, District 3 City Councilor Adam Steiner, at the Brophy Elementary School, Jan. 11, 2021. A recount after the Nov. 2 municipal election resulted in a tie between Steiner and challenger Mary Kate Feeney and a "failure to elect." A Middlesex Superior Court judge ruled that a special election was the fairest way to determine the outcome.

Feeney: 'I'll be back'

In a statement issued Tuesday night, Feeney, who is vice chairwoman of the Strategic Initiatives and Financial Oversight Committee, thanked her supporters, saying “you kept me going.”

“My campaign was about Framingham’s future," she said. "It is a future I believe is bright and full of promise. Today’s results may not be what I had worked so hard for, but it does not discourage me. I am not giving up, and neither should you."

She congratulated Steiner on his win, saying she hopes “you will use your third term to move Framingham forward, not standing still.”

After eight months of campaigning, Feeney said she plans to take a break, but promised “Don't worry — I’ll be back.”

Why was there a special election?

At the Nov. 16 recount, election workers determined that two ballots apparently first counted as blanks were intended as votes for Feeney. This resulted in a tie and a "failure to elect," meaning no winner could be named.

Steiner then filed a complaint pushing for a judge to weigh in.

Last month, Christopher Barry-Smith, a Superior Court judge, determined that the two ballots should have been counted as blanks because the marks were too small. But he also said that Feeney's attorney had raised enough irregularities to warrant a new election.

'Failure to elect.': Recount results in tie for Framingham's District 3 council seat

Mary Kate Feeney waves to voters while holding a sign in the bitter cold outside the Brophy Elementary School during a special election in the District 3 City Council race, Jan. 11, 2021.
Mary Kate Feeney waves to voters while holding a sign in the bitter cold outside the Brophy Elementary School during a special election in the District 3 City Council race, Jan. 11, 2021.

In one case, a voter returned an absentee ballot without signing the envelope. Instead of being rejected, it was put into the machines and counted.

Framing election goes to court: Were the votes cast for Mary Kate Feeney? Judge reviews 2 ballots in tied Framingham race

The second issue was in regards to a provisional ballot. A woman came in to vote but her name was already checked off the list. She was told she could not vote, but was allowed to fill out a provisional ballot and signed an affidavit saying she did not vote.

But according to Feeney's lawyer, it raised the possibility that someone voted in that person's name.

In Tuesday’s rematch, Steiner widened the margin between himself and Feeney. In Precinct 4, Steiner earned 442 votes to Feeney’s 297, while in Precinct 7, the two candidates were closer — Steiner won 274 votes to Feeney's 235.

According to unofficial results, there was also one blank.

Looking toward his new two-year term, Steiner pointed to climate change, equitable funding for schools and the COVID-19 crisis as top priorities. He said he feels hopeful about working with Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and his administration. Sisitsky was open-minded and fair when on the council, said Steiner.

"I expect him to be the same as mayor," said Steiner. "There are some critical things Framingham needs to move on."

Zane Razzaq writes about education. Reach her at 508-626-3919 or zrazzaq@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @zanerazz.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham Election: Adam Steiner wins City Council District 3 seat