WESTFIELD –Kevin J. Sullivan, the sole incumbent for the School Committee four-year seat, took the top spot in yesterday’s election with 2,478 votes.
Political newcomers Diane M. Mayhew and Ramon Diaz Jr. took second and third in the vote with 2,100 votes and 1,976 votes, respectively. Rounding out the candidates were Jeffrey L. Gosselin with 1,687 votes and Michelle P. Lesieur with 1,316 votes.
In the race for the two-year seat, newcomer Michael D. Tirrell beat his opponent John Leary by just 35 votes. Tirrell received 2,030 votes while Leary received 1,925.
Following the final tally last night, Diaz and Tirrell both celebrated with family and supporters at The Tavern.
Diaz said he was happy with the results and was thrilled with the support he received.
“There were a lot of good candidates,” said Diaz. “I want to thank my wife Maria, my campaign manager, Marisa Diaz, and all my supporters. Without them, I could not have accomplished this.”
Diaz said until he takes over the seat in January, he will spend time getting more familiar with the issues before the committee.
“Now that the election is over, we can focus our efforts on what we set out to do, which is to provide a quality education for the children of Westfield,” said Diaz.
Tirrell said he, too, is planning on researching more about the current issues.
“My next step is to talk to committee members and get current on the issues between now and the end of the year, so there is a smooth transition,” said Tirrell.
Tirrell thanked everyone who cast a vote in his favor and said it has been a long road for him.
“I feel great tonight,” he said. “It was a long campaign because this was the only race with a preliminary and I’m very happy with the results.”
Another political newcomer, Jane Wensley, nudged out her opponent, incumbent John M. Callahan, for the Municipal Light Board ward three two-year term. Wensley received 292 votes to Callahan’s 263.
“I wanted this when I ran in 2007 and I’m happy,” Wensley said last night at City Hall.
Wensley said she believes it has been a very long time since a woman served on the commission and she said she will bring to the table what any good commissioner should.
“I will bring to the table what needs to be done,” she said.
Of the city’s 23,636 registered voters, just 4,661 voted yesterday, which is just under 20 percent of voters.
