Though the final candidates in the upcoming Northampton municipal elections have been determined, a late entry is hoping to make an impact in a race for a school committee seat.
Megan Wolf has announced a write-in campaign for Ward 4 on the committee, encouraging voters to try to write her name in the blank space come election day on Nov. 4. Only one candidate, incumbent Michael Stein, is currently listed on the ballot for that seat.
In a statement, Wolf, whose experience includes serving as chief operating officer of the national nonprofit Women’s Funding Network, said she was inspired to launch the campaign because she was “discouraged by the tenor of our community discussions over how we run our government.”
“Amidst the din of divisive politics, I think we’ve allowed the narrative to get away from the central and important functions of school committee, which is management and support for our educators, students and administrators,” Wolf said in the statement.”Additionally, I do feel that it’s important for all voters to have a choice, and just as importantly, for all of us who want to run for office to be out and connected, and sharing what skills we can bring to the office.”
Wolf will have six weeks to try to garner enough votes to unseat Stein, who has become known for vocally supporting higher school budgets and strong opposition to reductions in staff and services over the past two years. Wolf also stated she would be hosting an open house for voters to meet her on Oct. 5.
Candidate forum on tap Monday
The Northampton High School Student Union will host a forum for municipal candidates on Monday in the first floor high school auditorium, featuring candidates for the mayoral, at-large and contested school committee seats.
The event will be hosted by members of the school’s student union, including Student Union President Zara Usman and Vice President Nadia-Lowy-Orzolek. Candidates appearing include mayoral candidates Gina-Louise Sciarra and Jillian Duclos, as well as at-large candidates Deb Henson, Benjamin Spencer, Garrick Perry and Meg Robbins. For the school committee, candidates appearing are at-large candidates Tiffany Jewell and Roberta Saner Sullivan along with Ward 2 Candidates Angela Wack and Anat Weisenfreund.
According to a release announcing the event, the forum is meant to be held “with the intent of supporting a dialogue and gaining candidates’ perspective for the upcoming election.” Questions will be asked by members of the student union, and candidates will be given the questions in advance to prepare. The event is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m.
The Northampton High School Student Union is an elected group of 16 representatives, 4 from each grade. They serve as the bridge between the student body and administration, voicing student needs and concerns.
Ballot order set
With the final candidates for the municipal ballot set, the city clerk’s office has announced the order in which they will appear on the Nov. 4. ballot. The order of each race was determined by a lottery, which was held in public last week.
For the mayoral race, challenger Jillian Duclos will be listed before incumbent Gina-Louise Sciarra. Among the four candidates running for the two at-large school committee, the order of their appearance will be Benjamin Spencer, Deb Henson, Garrick Perry and Meg Robbins.
Ward 1’s order will be Gwen Nabad followed by Michele Ronco. Ward 2’s challenger Al Simon will be listed ahead of incumbent Deb Pastrich-Klemer, while incumbent Ward 3 candidate Quaverly Rothenberg will be listed ahead of challenger Laurie Loisel.
Aline Davis will precede Luke Rotello in Ward 5, and incumbent Marianne LaBarge is ahead of challenger Christopher Stratton in Ward 6. In Ward 7, Susan Timberlake is ahead of incumbent Rachel Maiore.
The School Committee has two competitive races, in both at-large and Ward 2. For the former, the order of candidates is Robbie Saner Sullivan, Tiffany Jewell and Emily Serafy-Cox. For the latter the candidate order is Angela Wack followed by incumbent Anat Weisenfreund.
The municipal election in Northampton is set to take place on Nov. 4.
