Voter's Guide to New Bedford's preliminary election. What you need to know.
NEW BEDFORD — The city's preliminary election will be held Tuesday, Oct. 3, to narrow down candidates for mayor, at-large city councilor, and Ward 5 city councilor.
The top two mayoral and Ward 5 finishers, along with the top 10 at-large council candidates, will compete in the municipal election on Nov. 7.
Though it's a preliminary, held in an off-year election with no major national or state offices at stake, Board of Election Commissioners Chair Manuel DeBrito said in-person, early voting has been busy.
He said it was particularly brisk on the first day of in-person, early voting at the main Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 23.
"Saturday was around triple what we normally would have gotten in local early voting," he said.
DeBrito added, "The numbers were a bit of an uptick, especially for a preliminary. I was pleasantly surprised."
It remains to be seen what effect that will have on the final numbers, he said.
When do the polls open and close on Tuesday?
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Who is running for mayor in New Bedford in the preliminary?
Candidates for mayor include incumbent Jon Mitchell, and challengers Nathan J. Almeida, Ryan Duarte, Michael Janson, Xavier R. Cardona, and Richard Tyson Moultrie.
What should I know about the mayoral candidates’ positions?
The Standard-Times asked the candidates to state their platforms, and published the responses that were returned in their own words.
Mitchell is seeking his sixth term as New Bedford mayor, and second consecutive four-year term. Mitchell said he has run for mayor to provide the city with accountable and effective government, not the kind of extreme partisanship that has replaced problem-solving, particularly in Washington.
Mitchell said he wants to keep the city's positive momentum going, and pointed to some of his administration's accomplishments.
"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."
Xavier R. Cardona said being born and raised and New Bedford should make anyone feel proud, noting it was once the wealthiest city in North America per capita.
But, he said, many residents today also struggle with gang and gun violence, homelessness, and substance abuse, as well as having access to appropriate assistance for mental health. Residents are also dealing with issues associated with gentrification.
He has 17 years experience helping people deal with these types of issues, he said. "I'm asking for your vote in the 2024 mayoral election because New Bedford is 'community voice empowered!'"
Ryan Duarte said corporate interests were taking precedence over the needs of the people nationally and locally. He said he wants to bring democracy back to the people.
"This country is considered a corporate entity funded by private investors, lobbyists, and conglomerates of corporations. We’re forced to pay taxes on everything while small businesses are dying and big corporations are taking over every aspect of our lives."
He added, "new outside investors buying up all our real estate, while hardworking citizens are forced to work double just to afford rent, mortgages, or just the cost of living. Businesses and locals are being forced out while our community doubles down on gentrifying our area."
Michael Janson said he would rein in out-of-control city spending as mayor. He would also seek new revenue sources. "Going to the taxpayer year after year to foot the bill is unfair and unsustainable."
Janson added, "In the past four years, this administration has increased the city’s operating budget by $145 million, with revenue losses. What does this mean? Extreme tax increases. This puts added pressure on the homeowner and small businesses to make ends meet. This also drives up rent, and our mayor vetoed rent control."
Janson said he would also move the mayor’s office back to the first floor where it will be more accessible to residents that have issues that need to be addressed.
The following candidates are also running for mayor, but did not submit a statement for the preliminary mayoral race: Nathan J. Almeida and Richard Tyson Moultrie.
Who are the incumbents running for at-large city councilor in New Bedford in the preliminary?
Scott John Lima, Shane A. Burgo, Ian Abreu, Naomi R.A. Carney, Linda M. Morad and Brian K. Gomes.
Who are the challengers running for at-large city councilor in New Bedford in the preliminary?
Guelmie Santiago, Arya Pixlie Witner, Bruce Wayne Duarte Jr., Devin B. Byrnes, Joyce Rowley, and Carmen F. Amaral.
Who are the candidates running for Ward 5 city councilor in New Bedford in the preliminary?
Joseph P. Lopes, Zachary R. Boyer, Carlos M. Maiato, and Ian Marcus Saunders.
Ward 5 incumbent City Councilor Scott John Lima is running for an at-large council seat.
The Standard-Times asked the council candidates, including those not required to run in the preliminary, to state their platforms, and published the responses that were returned in their own words.
When is the Municipal Election?
The Municipal Election is Nov. 7. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Which candidates are already in the Municipal Election?
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
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Who is running in New Bedford preliminary election
