Ted Bettencourt Wins Peabody Mayor's Race, Mike Higgins Elected To City Council

UPDATED 10:35 p.m.

PEABODY, MA — Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt was re-elected to a seventh term on Tuesday, while Mike Higgins won a close race against Ryan Cox in the race for the open Ward 6 seat on the City Council and all five At-Large councilors were re-elected in a six-person field.

Bettencourt was re-elected as mayor in a victory against challenger Rochelle Agneta with about 84 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.

Bettencourt was re-elected as mayor by a margin of 6,017 to 1,129.

Agneta, a small business owner, said that despite her defeat the issues she raised in mounting a rare mayoral challenge in Peabody in recent years will help shape the direction of the city.

"My hopes going forward are that this administration starts to hear the people that are unhappy and understand why we are," Agneta posted on her campaign social media. "I hope they pay close attention to the parents of the special education children and listen to their concerns and needs. I hope that they always make decisions that are in the best interest of their constituents and the businesses in Peabody.

"I believe that together we have started to make a change and this is only the beginning."

Tom Gould, Jon Turco, Anne Manning-Martin, Tom Rossingnoll and Ryan Melville were re-elected to the City Council At-Large.

Peter McGinn fended off a challenge from Mary Beth Mallia to win re-election in Ward 2.

Michael Higgins topped Ryan Cox in the race for the open seat in Ward 6.

"I would like to thank the residents of Ward 6 that came out and voted today," Higgins posted on social media. "Ward 6 had a near-record turnout and the highest number of voters of all wards. I am humbled by the show of support. I look forward to the work ahead."

Mayor (Vote for 1)

6,017 Ted Bettencourt

1,129 Rochelle Agneta

City Council At-Large (Vote for 5)

5,710 Thomas Gould

4,858 Jon Turco

4,548 Tom Rossignoll

4,513 Annie Manning-Martin

4,394 Ryan Melville

3,082 Bukia Chalvire

City Council Ward 1 (Vote for 1)

1,102 Craig Welton

City Council Ward 2 (Vote for 1)

581 Peter McGinn

310 Mary Beth Mallia

City Council Ward 3 (Vote for 1)

652 Stephanie Peach

City Council Ward 4 (Vote for 1)

947 Julie Daigle

City Council Ward 5 (Vote for 1)

898 David Gamache

City Council Ward 6 (Vote for 1)

999 Michael Higgins

917 Ryan Cox

Municipal Light Commission 6-Year (Vote for 2)

4,586 Thomas D'Amato

3,696 William Aylward

3,540 Thomas Pappas

Municipal Light Commission 2-Year (Vote for 1)

3,977 Tracey Valletti

2,007 Robert Wheatley

School Committee (Vote for 3)

5,315 Joseph Amico

5,214 Brandi Carpenter

5,101 John Olimpo

Library Board of Trustees (Vote for 4)

4,733 Kate O'Brien

4,677 Katrina Vassallo

4,090 Frances Gallugi

3,687 Stacey Doolin

3,449 Emily Cooper