6-Vote Margin Decides Braintree District 1 Race, Recount Coming?

BRAINTREE, MA — The Braintree town election came down to the wire, especially in the District 1 town council race, which was decided by six votes, according to unofficial results. Braintree voters also decided to bring back Lisa Fiske-Heger to the school committee, as well as two newcomers in Matt Lynch and Kathy Tuffy.

The District 1 town council race created a delay in results coming in, given how close the race was, Town Clerk Jim Casey said. Incumbent Julia Flaherty won 555-549 over Jodi Walorz-Killeffer, according to unofficial results.

Walorz-Killeffer, who got endorsements from the Braintree Police Association and Braintree Friends for Veterans, may ask for a recount. Patch reached out to Walorz-Killeffer to ask if she will request a recount and will update this story when we hear back.

Flaherty told Patch she's thrilled to have won and appreciates the support of voters in the district.

"If it comes to a recount, I put my faith and trust in the Town Clerk's Office to oversee the process in a fair and equitable manner," Flaherty said.

The school committee race was much clearer, with the three winners being the only ones to earn at least 2,200 votes. Fiske-Heger, who previously served as school committee chair before running for mayor in 2019, led the way with 2,718 votes.

"I am very excited to return to the committee," Fiske-Heger said. "I am grateful for the trust and support from everyone who voted for me. I look forward to moving our schools forward. There is a lot of work to be done, and I'm up for the challenge."

Lynch faced controversy after he said was visited twice by the FBI after attending the Jan. 6 rally in support of President Donald Trump. Lynch's message resonated with Braintree voters, as he came in second with 2,319 votes. Tuffy won the final spot on the committee with 2,220 votes.

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Election Results

Unofficial results. Numbers represent vote totals.

Turnout: 5,308 out of 27,709 registered voters: 19.2 percent

Town Council

Councilor At-large (three win)

• Shannon Hume (inc.): 3,047
• David Ringius (inc.): 3,204
• Charles Ryan (inc.): 3,136

District 1 (all districts pick one)

• Julia Flaherty (inc.): 555
• Jodi Walorz-Killeffer: 549

District 2

• John Mullaney: 346
• Joseph Reynolds: 456
• Carol-ann Ricardo: 326

District 3

• Thomas Bowes: 238
• Elizabeth Maglio: 425

District 4

• Stephen O'Brien (inc.): 396

District 5

• Meredith Boericke (inc.): 567

District 6

• Larry Mackin (inc.): 655

School Committee (three win)

• Lisa Fiske-Heger: 2,718
• Treacy Lewald: 1,190
• Stephanie Burrell: 1,658
• Thomas Thackeray: 1,297
• Kathleen Tuffy: 2,220
• Matthew Lynch: 2,319
• Linda Doucette: 1,462

Library Trustee

• Timothy Carey (inc.): 3,075
• Margaret Morton (inc.): 2,975
• Jeffrey Kunz (inc.): 3,062
• Rachel Duffy: 3,130

Electric Light Board (pick two)

• James Regan (inc.): 2,510
• Thomas Reynolds (inc.): 3,090
• John McKinley: 826
• Stephen O'Brien: 1,601

Housing Authority

• Albion Fletcher: 3,331