Newton Election: Ward Councilor Races Down To 2 In Wards 2 And 6

NEWTON, MA — With Newton City Council's 24 seats up for grabs on Nov. 7, the election picture got clearer Tuesday in two wards, where municipal preliminary elections were necessary to reduce the ward councilor field from three candidates to two.

With all precincts reporting, the unofficial results in Ward 2 had Dan Gaynor receiving 803 votes, David Micley 678 votes and Peter Bruce 546 votes. That means the top two vote-getters, Gaynor and Micley, will square off in eight weeks for the ward councilor seat being vacated by Emily Norton, who is not seeking reelection.

In Ward 6, according to unofficial results, Martha Bixby received 882 votes, Lisa Gordon 584 votes and Mark Holt 124 votes. As a result, Bixby and Gordon with run against one another in November, the winner taking over the seat currently held by Brenda Noel, who has decided not to run for reelection.

According to the City Clerk, 3,632 voters cast ballots in Tuesday's preliminary election out of 15,487 registered voters in the two wards.

After receiving the most votes in Ward 2, Gaynor — a former Barack Obama appointee, Nike employee and a current tech entrepreneur — told Patch he was looking forward to building on his preliminary election momentum in November.

"Tonight's result proves that our message and approach is resonating," Gaynor said. "It's clear Ward 2 voters embrace our vision for substantive, data-driven policy. I'm proud to have built bridges throughout this campaign, including earning the most endorsements — and now, the most votes."

Gaynor will face Micley, who has worked as a community organizer, teacher, in nonprofit, and as a client advisor to pension and sovereign wealth funds. In 2021, Micley came up short in his bid to win the at-large Newton City Council seat vacated by Jake Auchincloss, who left for a congressional seat.

Micley told the Newton Beacon recently that he was enjoying his current run for office, especially meeting with the residents in his ward.

"What really excited me about this particular role is the chance to really get to know what people care about, what's on their minds, to be connected to the community that I'm trying to represent," Micley said. "I have to represent what residents want, effectively. That to me is the role."

After the Ward 2 results came in Tuesday, Bixby took to Instagram to thank her supporters.

"Thanks to you all. So excited to share that we topped the ticket today and will be moving on to November," Bixby wrote. "Can't wait to continue our work to share our vision for Newton's future and what's possible when Newtonians come together and work together for the best of our community!! Thank you!!"

In recent years, Bixby helped to launch a nonprofit called Newton Neighbors, which provides resources and support to people living in Newton. The organization grew out of a Facebook group called Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors, which began as a way to help local families during the pandemic.

Bixby's opponent in November will be Gordon, who once served as the national secretary of the United Kingdom branch of Youth Against Racism in Europe. She currently serves as the executive director of the Acton Food Pantry.

"I am beyond humbled by the support our campaign received today," Gordon said in a Tuesday statement to Patch. "I am grateful to the voters, our city election officials and poll workers, my supporters and volunteers, to my opponents Martha Bixby and Mark Holt for their candidacies and willingness to serve, and most of all to my husband Ken, children Shoshi and Ari and my mother Carol."

Gordon continued: "The people of Ward 6 want a city councilor who will be a thoughtful, consensus and data-driven advocate, an elected official who will lead by listening but fight for them in City Hall. I am the only candidate in this race with the experience and vision that can navigate Ward 6 through the significant changes we face. I know this city, I know City Hall, and I intend to be your next Ward 6 city councilor on Tuesday, November 7, for a more vibrant and welcoming Newton."