Swampscott Recall Effort Falls Short

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Petitioners trying to recall Swampscott Selectman Don Hause collected 374 signatures, or 21.9 percent of the 1,708 they needed by Wednesday's deadline.

Under the town charter, a new recall effort of Hause cannot start for at least six months. Petitioners said collecting a little more than a fifth of the signatures they needed was a "significant achievement" and pointed out the 1,708 minimum was 388 more votes than Hause received when he won reelection in last year's election.

Hause has denied accusations that he made disparaging comments about the Black Lives Matter movement and called white privilege "a myth" while having dinner with his wife and another couple at a restaurant last month.

He has also been criticized for not supporting a proclamation condemning the death of George Floyd and for writing a letter to the Swampscott Reporter supporting the local police department.

"I look forward to continuing to work very hard for the citizens of Swampscott, and am committed to learn more about ways I, and we, can continue to evolve as a community while proactively working harder so that everyone feels welcome, safe and equal," Hause said in a statement to the Swampscott Reporter.

Dave Copeland covers Swampscott and other North Shore communities for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).