The Sept. 20 preliminary election is expected to feature a three-candidate battle for mayor and 12 candidates for five at-large seats.
Staff Photo by Dave Roback- Antonette Pepe announced her candidacy for Springfield mayor at the John Boyle O'Reilly Club in Springfield in April. Here she greets Jose Tosado, who is also running for Springfield mayor. SPRINGFIELD - Just one ward member of the City Council faces a challenger in the fall election as early signs of interest "fizzled out," according to the city's election commissioner.
The deadline for returning nomination papers passed Tuesday at 5 p.m., with just one ward councilor, incumbent John A. Lysak, facing a challenger.
Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola said she expected much more interest in the ward seats. The council was changed and expanded in the 2009 election from nine at-large seats to a mix of eight ward seats and five at-large seats.
Those interested in running needed to take out papers and collect at least 100 signatures of registered voters to be certified for the ballot.
"There was a lot of interest in the ward seats at the beginning of the election year, and it just fizzled out," Oyola said. "I am not sure why."
07/25/11 Springfield - Republican Photo by Mark M.Murray- Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno speaks at the podium during a press conference in front of Cathedral High School Monday morning. Lysak is opposed by his 2009 opponent, Orlando Ramos. In the 2009 election, Lysak won by 82 votes, verified in a recount.
Just 10 people returned nomination papers for the eight ward seats on the council this year. Those running are seven incumbents and three newcomers.
"That's a big surprise," Oyola said.
In contrast, there appears to be lively races shaping up for mayor and for the five at-large council seats, Oyola said.
Three candidates are certified for the mayor's race, and at least 11 are certified for the ballot for the five at-large seats. A 12th person, Miguel Soto, appeared to have enough signatures to qualify as well, Oyola said.
A preliminary election is expected Sept. 20, to reduce the candidates for mayor to two finalists, and to reduce the field of at-large council candidates to 10 finalists on the November ballot.
Ward 6 Councilor Amaad I. Rivera is among candidates for the at-large seats, choosing not to seek re-election in the ward. The sole candidate certified for the Ward 6 seat is Kenneth E. Shea, a former member of the School Committee.
Four of the five at-large councilors are seeking re-election. The fifth, Jose F. Tosado, chose instead to run for mayor. Incumbent Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is seeking re-election, and the third candidate is Antonette E. Pepe.
Oyola said she thought the number of candidates for ward seat might be even be higher than in 2009, as people saw the results of the new system.
"It still seems to swing back to interest in the at-large seats," Oyola said.