Petitioning Window Opens for Springfield Election; Some Surprises Are Flying in…
The midterm municipal election in Springfield is off to a brisk start. Several races are developing only days after ballot papers became available. Challenges to some incumbents have been incubating for some time either publicly or quietly. Since the Election Commission opened the petitioning window on Friday, it appears even more officials could face opponents.
A race in Ward 1 had already begun. A challenge to Ward 4 Councilor Malo Brown has been grist for the rumor mill since his unsuccessful bid for State Senate. What came as a surprise were challenges to Ward 5 Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce and Ward 6 Councilor Victor Davila. They could face serious challenges in Ed Nunez and Charles Whitaker-Battle respectively.
Aside from the district School Committee seat Joesiah Gonzalez is leaving to run for Ward 1 city councilor, few retirements are likely this cycle. Most incumbent councilors have already pulled papers and most incumbents on the School Committee seem likely to seek reelection.