Somerville Preliminary Election To Narrow Down Contested Races

SOMERVILLE, MA — The city’s preliminary election is right around the corner as it will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at precinct-specific polling locations. The election will narrow down the mayoral, City Councilor At Large and Ward 7, as well as Ward 3 School Committee races.
Incumbent Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is being challenged by two current city councilors. Jake Wilson and Willie Burnley Jr. each announced their campaigns earlier this year. The preliminary election will narrow the candidate pool from three to two.

The Ward 7 City Council race will also eliminate one of the three candidates. Incumbent Judy Pineda Neufeld will not run for reelection, and residents Emily Hardt, Wilbert Pineda, and Michael Murray. The Councilor At Large race sees incumbents Kristin Strezo and Will Mbah are being challenged by residents Holly Simione, Jon Link, Marianne Wales, Jack Perenick, Ari Iaccarino, Christopher Ryan Spicer, Ben Wheeler, Justin Klekota, Scott Istvan, and Tuesday Thomas.

Kat Johnston, Jessie Ratey, and Michele Lippens are on the ballot for the Ward 3 School Committee seat after incumbent Sarah Phillips elected not to run for reelection.

See Also:
Early Voting Underway For Medford City Council Preliminary Election