NORTHAMPTON — Four candidates will advance to this year’s municipal election in the race for Northampton’s two at-large City Council seats, after the elimination of two candidates in Tuesday’s preliminary election.
This year’s at-large race featured six candidates vying for two seats, with incumbent Garrick Perry running for a second term of office. The other current at-large incumbent, Marissa Elkins, is not seeking reelection. The other candidates in the preliminary race were Meg Robbins, Deb Henson, Benjamin Spencer, Yakov Kronrod and Will O’Dwyer.
In addition to Perry, three other candidates — Henson, Spencer and Robbins — will advance to the upcoming municipal election scheduled for Nov. 4. Perry led all vote-getters with 2,249, followed by Robbins with 2,201, Spencer with 1,813 and Henson with 1,786.
As with other preliminary electoral races, several of the at-large candidates fell within factions either supporting incumbent Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, or aligning themselves with Support Our Schools, a group formed to advocate for higher school spending after Sciarra’s last two school budgets led to reductions in staff and services.
Among at-large candidates, Spencer and Perry often voiced support for several of the administration’s policies, such as housing development or the Picture Main Street project. By contrast, candidates Henson and Robbins have been vocal in their support for SOS.
That difference in alignment could be seen by the candidates’ attendance at various post-election parties held in the city as results rolled in after polls closed. Perry and Spencer joined Sciarra at her election party held at the restaurant Spoleto on Bridge Street, while Henson and Robbins celebrated with other SOS-backed candidates at JJ’s Tavern in Florence.
“I’ll be getting out, knocking on doors and talking to people about school funding,” Henson said in an interview after it was announced she would be advancing. “But I’m very excited.”
Robbins, a former School Committee member, also said she was looking forward to the municipal election.
“I’m so proud of the SOS group and what they’ve done,” Robbins said in an interview. “We can make positive change for how this city works.”
In addition to Henson and Robbins, other candidates endorsed by SOS — Michele Ronco in Ward 1, Luke Rotello in Ward 5 and Jillian Duclos in the mayor’s race — also advanced in the preliminary elections. Amber Clooney, a member of the coordinating committee for SOS, said the group was happy with the results.
“It’s a mandate,” Clooney said. “It’s a real sign people want change in Northampton.”
At Sciarra’s event, Perry noted in an interview that he hadn’t yet spent any money on his campaign for reelection, but still managed to receive the most votes of any candidate.
“There’s so much engagement, and just a lot of great energy in the city,” Perry said. “The next step is to get out and run, and really begin my campaign.”
Spencer also said he was focused on spending the next several weeks on his efforts to be elected for office.
“I look forward to campaigning for the next six weeks and represent Northampton,” Spencer said. “The plan is to continue to show up to speak and meet with residents.”
Before polls closed on Tuesday, several residents also spoke to the Gazette on which at-large candidates they voted for in the preliminary elections.
Robert Boulrice, a Ward 5 resident, said he cast his vote for Spencer.
“I’ve gotten to know Benjamin quite well. I’ve come to appreciate his gentle demeanor, his analytical behavior,” he said. “I feel he’s earned the opportunity he has created for himself and he has the skills to be on the City Council.”
Though O’Dwyer failed to advance in the preliminary results, some praised his efforts for getting involved in politics. Menachem Echols, a Ward 4 resident, said he voted for O’Dwyer due to wanting to see a younger candidate in office.
“It’s exciting to see a younger person get involved with politics,” Echols said.