Waltham 2019 Election Results: Mayor McCarthy In, Logan Out

WALTHAM, MA — Now that the results have been calculated, there are a few new faces who will join the Waltham City Council and a few surprises. In Ward 9, newcomer Jonathan Paz upset longtime incumbent Robert Logan.

"He obviously just pulled out a lot of people," said Logan who held the seat for a little more than 30 years. "I want to thank the voters for Ward 9 for allowing me the honor of serving them for the last 30 years. Thirty years is a good run, and I'm proud of all my accomplishments."

The elections brought in five newcomers and ousted two incumbents, including in Ward 6 where Sean Durkee ousted Sharline Nabulime. She was the first black woman elected to Waltham City Council in 2017.

"It is such an honor that voters gave me the opportunity to serve as their representative on the city council," said Durkee in an email to Patch. "I look forward to solving problems and making Waltham a better place to live, work and play. I'd like to thank my opponent for her commitment and unmatched passion for the many issues facing our ward."

Perhaps the contest that had the most attention was a contested race for mayor, in which City Councilor Diane LeBlanc challenged 15-year incumbent Mayor Jeannette McCarthy. McCarthy will now be in the seat for another four years, making her the longest sitting mayor the city has had. She was first elected in 2003 as the first woman to become mayor of Waltham.

"It was an amazing journey,"said LeBlanc in an email to Patch. "I am so grateful to all of the dedicated volunteers that were part of our campaign and to the citizens who voted in hopes for a better Waltham. Their support and desire for a change in our City is what made me join this race to begin with. I am so proud of the truth-driven campaign we ran and I will keep moving forward to make our voices heard. I extend my sincere congratulations to Mayor Jeanette McCarthy and look forward to Waltham's future."

Then there is the matter of LeBlanc's at-large city council seat, which she gave up to run for mayor. Patrick O'Brien slides into that slot. Of those six seats, five are occupied by men. Of the 16 sitting councilors, five were women. In January, only four will represent the city on city council. Waltham is about 51 percent women, according to the last census. Election Day was the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote.

Incumbent John Graceffa was knocked off the school committee by newcomer Jane Gately.

There are 34,423 registered voters in the city. Of those, 11,743 people cast ballots, or about 34 percent.

In 2017, the last time there was a city-wide election for city council and school committee only 26 percent of Waltham voters showed up, Patch reported. But there was no race for mayor that year.

Still, compare that to last year's midterm elections, where some 64 percent of Waltham's registered voters showed up to vote.

As results come in we'll post them here.

Logan told Patch he plans to stay active, but isn't sure he's going to run for anything any time soon.

"I'm gonna do a lot of fishing, and become reacquainted with my family," he said. His family has been in the city for 150 years. He said he can't imagine not participating in the city in some way.

He said among his proudest moments was when he was president a number of years ago and helped head up the downtown revitalization.When he was first elected it was around the time Grover Cronins closed and half the storefronts were vacant on Moody Street. Logan was the one who brought forward a resolution about a downtown revitalization committee that laid the ground work for the Moody Street we have today.

"I took a lot of stands and a lot of votes on controversial issues, it didn't always win me friends, but I always felt like I did the right thing. I can walk away with my head held high and knowing that I did the best job I could for the city," Logan said.

As a reminder of who ran, and what they had to say:

Councilors at large:

There are six seats and eight running. This is a city-wide vote.

• Steve Lydon:
• Tom Stanley*
• Colleen Bradley-MacArthur
• Kathleen McMenimen,*
• Randy LeBlanc*
• Paul Brasco,*
• Patrick O'Brien and
• Carlos Vidal*

School Committee:

There are three seats and five people running. This is a city-wide vote.

• Edmund Tarallo*
• Margy Donnelly*
• Marisa Diamond
• Jane Gately
• John Graceffa*

Mayor:

There is one seat. Two are running. This is a city-wide vote.

• Jeannette McCarthy*
• Diane LeBlanc

Ward Councilors:

There is one seat up for election and contested elections for those seats in Wards 1, 2,3, 6 and 7. Only voters in these wards may vote. They must choose one.

Ward 1:

• Anthony LaFauci
• Lizzie Gelles

Note: Councilor Dan Romard is stepping down.

Ward 2:

• Caren Dunn
• William Hanley

Note: Councilor Bill Fowler is stepping down.

Ward 3:

• George Darcy III*
• Paul Tracey

Ward 4: (no challenger)

• John McLaughlin*

Ward 5: (no challenger):

• Joey Lacava*

Ward 6:

• Sean Durkee
• Sharline Nabulime*

Ward 7:

• Gregory DeMeo
• Kristine Mackin*

Ward 8: (no challenger)

• Cathyann Harris*

Ward 9:

• Jonathan Paz: 496
• Robert Logan * 377

* indicates incumbent.

Read more:

Waltham's Biggest Issue, According to City Council Candidates

Waltham Elections 2017 Results: Incumbents Didn't Sweep

• Waltham Elections 2019: Here's Who Is Running
• Waltham Elections 2017 Results: Incumbents Didn't Sweep
• Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy Announces She Will Run
• Possible Challenge To McCarthy's Run For Waltham Mayor
• Councilor Diane LeBlanc Hints At Run For Mayor
• Waltham Councilor Diane LeBlanc Announces She Will Run
• Waltham Election Calendar: What To Know About Election Season
• Waltham Mayoral Candidates, McCarthy, LeBlanc Face Off

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).