Springfield Incumbents Lead in Preliminary Election with Low Voter Turnout
Springfield,โ MA – November 7, 2023 – Incumbentโข candidates maintained a strong position in Springfield’s preliminary elections held today, though resultsโข were marked by notably low voter turnout. The elections narrowed theโฃ field of candidates for both City Council and School Committee ahead of the final election in November.
In the โWard 6 City โCouncil race, incumbent Jose Davila and challenger Sean Johnson advanced to the final election after receiving the most votes. Jan Burdewik, a voter at Forest Park Middle School, noted both candidates actively campaigned, withโ Davilaโฃ and Johnson both knocking on her door to discuss issues. โBurdewik also attended Johnson’s campaign kick-off event. She โขstated, “I โthink I appreciate when peopel understand theโ complexity of issues and theโค time it takes to get things accomplished.”
Support for Davila also cameโ from members of the Carpenters Union Local 336, with at least six members โdemonstratingโฃ outside Forest Park Middle School after work.Arthur Cook explained โคtheโฃ union’s backing, stating, “We โare supporting Victor. He stands โคbehind the working class and the legislation we areโฃ trying to get passed,” referring โขtoโ a bill aimed at preventing salary theft and ensuring prevailing wages for union members.
The Ward 4 City Council race saw incumbent Maria Valentin advance to the final election. Supporters gathered โin front of Forest โPark Middle School to voice their support.Herrera,โข a local resident, shared a personal connection to Valentin, recalling assistance she received when first moving fromโ Puerto Rico and continued support for โคher grandchildren.”Now she is helping my grandchildren,” Herrera said.
Jynai McDonald, who previously ran for the Ward 4 โcity Council seat in 2019 and 2021, cast a ballot with her โson. While acknowledging the challengers as “good people,” she found their platforms uninspiring, stating, “I’m always โคhappy to see the status โขquo challenged.”