Steiner Leads By Almost 200 Votes In Framingham Special Election

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A redo of the Framingham District 3 City Council race has ended similarly to Nov. 2: with incumbent Councilor Adam Steiner in the lead over challenger Mary Kate Feeney, according to vote tallies released Tuesday evening.

But Tuesday's results were more decisive than the contest held in November. Vote totals reported near 8 p.m. Tuesday showed Steiner in the lead with 716 votes to Feeney's 532 — a 184-vote difference.

In a social media post, Steiner thanked Feeney and called her a "tough opponent." He also said he was looking forward to collaborating with her in the future.

"This was obviously a long and arduous process, and I am so honored to be selected again for this responsibility. I will work hard over the next two years to represent all voters of District 3 and all of the residents of Framingham," Steiner said in the post.

In turn, Feeney thanked Steiner, and insinuated she'll be back in local politics soon.

"Today’s results may not be what I had worked so hard for, but it does not discourage me. I am not giving up, and neither should you. We need everyone to come together for what is best for Framingham," she said in the post. "Don’t worry — I’ll be back."

The Tuesday special election came after a wild series of events after polls closed on Nov. 2. Steiner led Feeney by only two votes that night, spurring her to request a recount. That recount ended in a tie after counters found two ballots that appeared to have been marked for Feeney.

Steiner took the recount results to court, asking a judge to throw out the two ballots counted for Feeney. The judge did eventually toss those ballots because they only had faint marks for Feeney (see image above), but clear marks in other races. At the same time, the judge ordered a new election due to irregularities on Election Day highlighted by Feeney's attorney.

Although Tuesday's special election rematch was limited to voters in District 3, the race was an important showdown between sometimes oppositional political groups in Framingham.

Feeney was backed by District 8 Councilor John Stefanini, District 4 Councilor Michael Cannon and At-Large Councilor Janet Leombruno. Steiner drew support from state Reps. Jack Lewis and Maria Robinson, District 2 Councilor Cesar Stewart-Morales, and former councilors Margareth Shepard and Robert Case.

Steiner won the District 3 seat in 2017, the first year Framingham held a city council election after the transition from a town to a city. He served as the chair of the powerful Finance Subcommittee over the past two years, and as vice chair of the Council.

Feeney entered the District 3 race as a newcomer to city electoral politics, although she did run in 2017 for the state House seat now held by Robinson. She previously worked on Deval Patrick's staff while he was governor.

Here's a look at the vote totals from the special election:

District 3, precinct 7

• Mary Kate Feeney — 235
• Adam Steiner — 274

District 3, precinct 4

• Mary Kate Feeney — 297
• Adam Steiner — 442

Total votes: 1,248