Newton Election Results 2019: City Council, School Committee

NEWTON, MA — As the polls closed in Newton Tuesday night, the first transgender woman was elected to Newton City Council in Ward 8, while contested races for City Council, including in Ward 2, where Councilor Emily Norton was running against Bryan Barash, were settled.

In the end, Maria Scibelli Greenberg, Emily Norton, Susan Albright, Jake Auchincloss, Julia Malakie, Andrea Kelley, Pam Wright, Bill Humphrey, Andrea Downs, Deb Crossley, Brenda Noel, Viki Danberg and Alicia Bowman all made it onto the council. The biggest surprise, according to some pundits might be newcomer Wright's win over incumbent James Cote.

Read more: Pam Wright, Alicia Bowman Edge Out Incumbents

There was also a contested school committee race: Margaret Albright, Tamika Olsezewiski, Emily Prenner and Ruth Goldman won seats. See below for results and election night coverage from NewTV.

At 8:26, p.m. Norton's campaign was calling the election for her ward in her favor. She said volunteers reported back that of the more than 2,720 people who voted, 1,407, voted to keep her, while 1,313 voted for Barash.

This was the first time since she was elected six years ago she faced a competitor. And it was close.

Norton called it a good clean fight.

"It was close, but he worked really, really hard, he got to some doors six times, 10 times sometimes," she told Patch as supporters celebrated with her at the Paint Bar. "I'm just thrilled to be returning to city council."

Norton said during her next term she planned to focus on development and the decisions that come along with it in Newtonville and Ward 2. "I do support more development along Washington Street, but I'd like to keep it to four stories," she said adding that that allows development and still maintains the village.

In addition to shaping development, she plans to tackle specific ward requests from getting the "don't block the box" lines repainted, to advocating for more traffic calming measures and increased safety at intersections. She said she is also researching home rule petitions, such as implementing a surcharge on the sale of homes over $2 million and apply that to affordable housing, and another one that would require a fee on tear downs, apply that to affordable housing.

In Ward 5, newcomer Bill Humphrey edged out Kathryn Winters by about 34 votes.

Newcomer at-large candidate from Ward 3 Pam Wright edged out James Cote, with Andrea Kelley getting 5,646 Wright getting 4,518 and Cote getting 3,857.

This election, on the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote leaves the 24 member council for the first time mostly in the hands of women. Out of 24 members, 14 are women, up from 12 last term. The top two vote-getters Tuesday night were both women.

Election Results

Unofficial results. Winners printed in bold type. Candidates for re-election are marked with an asterisk (*).

City Council, At-Large

All 16 seats up for re-election. And there are contested races in wards 2, 3, 5, and 6. This is a citywide vote. Vote up to two for each.

City Council, Ward 1

One seat up for re-election.

City Council, Ward 2

One seat up for re-election.

City Council, Ward 3

One seat up for re-election, as Councilor Barbara Brousal-Glaser gives up her seat.

City Council, Ward 4

One seat up for re-election.

City Council, Ward 5

One seat up for re-election. Councilor John Rice is not running.

Will Humphrey called the race just before 9 p.m.

"It will be my honor and privilege to serve in the 2020-2021 term on the Newton City Council as the next Ward 5 Councilor," he said in a statement. "Tonight is a triumph for our shared, ambitious, progressive vision for Ward 5 and our city. It's a victory for local democracy, after I spent a year to knock more than 8,000 doors and talk to as many voters as possible. It's also a victory for our policy agenda of urgent environmental action and the promotion of affordable housing."

City Council, Ward 6

One seat up for re-election.

City Council, Ward 7

One seat up for re-election.

City Council, Ward 8

One seat up for re-election. Ward 8 Councilor Cheryl Lappin is not seeking re-election. Holly Ryan-Caffray.

School Committee

Three seats up for re-election.

Other stories:

Election Day In Newton: 25 Percent Turnout

Pam Wright, Alicia Bowman Edge Out Incumbents