WESTFIELD – Today, residents will participate in city government by voting for the Mayor, City Council, School Committee and Municipal Light Board (MLB) members.
There are 39 candidates to choose from, including Donald F. Humason Jr. and Michael A. McCabe, who are seeking election to the office of Westfield Mayor. Current Mayor Brian P. Sullivan announced last winter that he would not seek re-election.
All but one of the six City Council ward seats are contested and there are 12 candidates vying for seven at-large seats.
Ward I candidates are incumbent Mary Ann Babinski and Nicholas J. Morganelli Jr, a current at-large councilor. Ward 2 incumbent Ralph J. Figy is facing political newcomer Juan Navarette. In Ward 3, Bridget Matthews-Kane is the sole candidate, while Ward 4 incumbent Michael J. Burns is facing former councilor Mary O’Connell. Ward 5 incumbent Leslie Lefebvre is up against current at-large councilor John J. Beltrandi II, and in Ward 6, incumbent William Onyski is facing candidate Jeffrey A. Neece.
The incumbents for at-large are Daniel Allie, Brent B. Bean II, Matt Emmershy, Dave Flaherty and Cindy C. Harris, facing former councilor James R. Adams, candidate Kristen L. Melo, Daniel Moriarty, Rudy Musterait, former mayor and city councilor Richard K. Sullivan Jr., current Ward 3 councilor Andrew K. Surprise and former councilor Matthew VanHeynigen.
Three of the six MLB ward races are contested, and four candidates are running for three seats on the School Committee. There is one candidate running for Westfield Athenaeum trustee.
In the MLB race, Ward 1 incumbent Kevin M. Kelleher Sr. is facing Luis Morales and Ward 2 incumbent Ray Rivera is unopposed. Ward 3 incumbent Dawn M. Renaudette is facing Robert F. Brogle. Ward 4 incumbent Francis L. Liptak and Ward 5 incumbent Thomas P. Flaherty Sr. are unopposed. Ward 6 MLB incumbent Robert C. Sacco is facing Jason J. Bean.
In the School Committee race, incumbents Ramon Diaz Jr., Diane M. Mayhew and Bo Sullivan are facing Jeffrey L. Gosselin.
Athenaeum Trustee candidate Kathleen A. Knapik is unopposed for a seat with a six-year term.
Polls are open today from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
