NORTHAMPTON — Aline Davis and Vincent “Luke” Rotello will be the two Ward 5 City Council candidates in the Nov. 4 municipal election, after tallying the most votes in Tuesday’s preliminary election.
The preliminary election dwindled the playing field for the Ward 5 seat from three candidates down to two. Davis topped the chart with 439 votes. She was followed by Rotello, whose 312 votes narrowly edged out the 303 collected by David Murphy, who was eliminated from the race. Davis and Rotello are vying to replace current Ward 5 Councilor Alex Jarrett, who is not seeking reelection. Murphy was a former Ward 5 city councilor.
Candidates and their supporters held multiple election night gatherings, at JJ’s Tavern, Spoleto Restaurant and Drawing Board Brewery, and watched as votes were tallied.
In the coming weeks, Davis said she will continue to do the public outreach that has been a staple for her campaign. If elected, she hopes to use similar outreach methods of incumbent Jarrett, including the newsletter that he sends to ward residents.
“I think what I’ve really tried to do is focus on my campaign and sharing to people who Aline Davis is …” Davis said after the votes were counted. “My goal is to never finish knocking on doors and continue to try and meet everyone I can.”
Davis recently retired after 27 years as a teacher, 25 of which were spent as a public school teacher, a job she said requires preparation and organization, being a good listener and being compassionate. Davis has knowledge of the city’s budget, given her position as an at-large member of the School Committee, and she identified housing as one of the most complex issues facing the city today.
Rotello is a tenant in the city, and has said his reason for running is to fight against fascism which he identified as being a key role of local governments in the age of President Donald Trump.
“It has been an extraordinary honor to run with this labor-progressive coalition,” said Rotello after the results came in. “I am confident going forward in this election, and I look forward to supporting my fellow candidates.”
Frequently attending council meetings and other local government events, Rotello said he has observed the need to make not just Northampton but also the country an affordable place to live for everybody.
Ward 5 resident Julie Asbornsen is voting for Rotello, seeing his attitude and enthusiasm as qualities that would make him fit for the council.
“I’m voting for Luke (Rotello) first of all because he’s been endorsed by Support Our Schools. He’s young, energetic and one of the most collaborative people out of anybody. He knows how to talk to anybody … He’s been all over Ward 5 talking to people and I think he really gets the issues not just in Ward 5 but for the whole city.”
The incumbent Jarret is going to vote for Davis, citing her experience on the School Committee and the support she has shown for Picture Main Street.
“I’m excited about Aline because of her thoughtfulness and collaborativness on the School Committee … To have someone that has the experience is essential and I think she would make a great councilor,” Jarrett said.