NORTHAMPTON — Gwen Nabad and Michele Ronco will be the two Ward 1 City Council candidates on the ballot for the municipal election, having advanced in Tuesday’s preliminary election over a third candidate, Nikolas Letendre-Cahillane.
Nabad led the pack with 343 votes, followed by Ronco with 277. Letendre-Cahillane was eliminated from candidacy, receiving 245 votes. That sets up a contest on Nov. 4 between Nabad and Ronco to replace current Ward 1 Councilor Stanley Moulton, who is not seeking reelection.
Candidates for all five races in the preliminary election and their supporters gathered at multiple parties on Tuesday night, including locations like JJ’s Tavern, Spoleto and Drawing Board Brewery, to watch the vote tally.
Nabad said she has a plan to close inequality gaps within the city, with priority given to affordable housing. She is member of the Northampton Housing Partnership, which helps address the city’s housing needs. She feels she has the ability to help the council make more creative decisions concerning education.
“I’m going to continue on my current campaign trail. Housing is my thing and advocating for younger generations …,” she said after the votes were tallied. “Thank you to people turning out and voting for me. They can expect me to come knocking on their door.”
Ward 1 resident Sara Elkins feels Nabad has the tools to be a city councilor through her advocacy for housing injustices, climate change and support for low-income people.
“Her number one platform is on creating more affordable housing and expanding that platform,” Elkins said. “In Northampton, we have a great housing shortage and it affects all ages.”
Ronco previously served for three years as city councilor for the commune of Beinasco in Turin, Italy. Recently, as a concerned citizen and parent seeing cuts made to the public school budget, he began attending council meetings to learn more. As a councilor, he hopes to boost public policy to help create a balanced budget for the city.
“I thank all the people who voted for me. I offer congrats to Gwen for making it, and it was an honor to run with Niko because we share many of the same values,” he said after the votes were tallied. “I’m looking forward to the Nov. 4th election.”
Ward 1 resident Cathy McNally feels Ronco has what it take to be on the council, seeing the way his knowledge of financial management will be useful when discussing the budget.
“We’ve sat together at City Council and School Committee meetings and he’s gotten to know the budget very well … he cares about schools and services,” said McNally. “I think he’s great, he understands the budget, the city and understands priorities.”
