Somerville Preliminary Election Results: Incumbent Mayor Voted Out

SOMERVILLE, MA — Unofficial results are in for the city's Preliminary Election, and the numbers guarantee a big change for arguably the most important position.

This election's purpose was to narrow down the mayoral, City Councilor At Large and Ward 7, as well as Ward 3 School Committee races. According to the unofficial results, incumbent Mayor Katjana Ballantyne will not be advancing to the November election, as she received less votes than both of her challengers, City Councilors At Large Willie Burnley Jr. and Jake Wilson. Wilson led the way with 5,018 votes, while Burnley Jr. came in second, receiving 4,036 votes. Ballantyne's chance of earning a third consecutive term as mayor appears to be dashed as she received only 2,738 votes. She was first elected Mayor of Somerville in 2021. Initiatives that have taken place in the city during her tenure include distributing $9.5 million in rental assistance to approximately 400 households, receiving a AAA bond rating, and achieving pay equity for city employees.

Councilor At Large candidates Tuesday Thomas, Ari Iaccarino, Justin Klekota, and Christpher Ryan Spicer will not be advancing to the November ballot, according to the results. The newcomers received the least amount of votes with 995, 1,835, 2,130, and 2,439 respectively. The other 8 candidates are now the finalists for the four open seats, with incumbent Will Mbah leading the way with more than 7,000 votes.

Emily Hardt led the way in the Ward 7 City Council voting, receiving 925 votes. She will go up against Michael Pineda in the election later this year, who received 395. Michael Murray did not make the cut for November. Hardt is a Texas native who currently works as a lecturer of gender, leadership, and public policy at University of Massachusetts Boston. Her work experience also includes seven years as Director of Women’s Institute of Leadership Development program until 2012. She was endorsed by incumbent Judy Pineda Neufeld, who chose not to run for reelection.

Finally, residents Michele Lippens and Jessie Ratley will square off for the Ward 3 School Committee seat, as they both barely edged out Kat Johnston by 55 and 8 votes respectively.

The results are now available on the city's website. The citywide election is on Tuesday, Nov. 4.