Framingham Preliminary Election: Who's On The Ballot?

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham's elections season got off to a running start and Tuesday's preliminary election has a packed ballot full of fresh faces. Candidacy announcements started early in the spring and poured into the summer months, with several sitting City Councilors announcing they will not run for re-election.

The preliminary election ballot includes District 1 City Councilor, District 5 City Councilor and District 8 School Committee. All of the seats are a two-year term with no incumbents running among them.

District 1 City Council

Charles Sisitsky, District 1 City Councilor and Vice Chair, is not seeking re-election. Sisitsky had served in Framingham politics years before he was elected to the City Council, as a member of the Board of Selectmen and on various committees. With the seat open, a three-way race emerged between Christine Long, Gerald Bloomfield and Joseph Norton.

Long is the chair of Framingham's Planning Board, looking to make the switch to City Council. She has taken on development, redevelopment and traffic as key issues to focus on in District 1. In a Patch Candidate Profile, Long said her knowledge of planning and zoning will be her advantage in the election. "Instead of remaining on the Planning Board in an advisory role I am stepping up to serve as a voting member of the Council where I can better serve and represent you by directly impacting outcomes," she said.

Bloomfield is a District 1 resident. During a candidate forum earlier this month, he made the argument that tax rates have steadily increased and the city needs to secure a rainy day fund. Bloomfield also made the point that a dialogue needs to be opened up between the City Council and the mayor.

Norton is member of the Planning Board and an Associate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. In his candidacy announcement, Norton highlighted "smart growth" in Nobscot, preserving open space and working with local businesses.

District 5 City Council

District 5 is another race where the sitting councilor is not seeking re-election. Dennis Giombetti was the District 5 City Councilor and the Council Chair and had years of experience in city politics, including on the Board of Selectmen. With the seat open, another three-way race emerged between Robert Case, Noval Alexander and Cheryl Gordon.

Case serves as the chair of the Strategic Initiatives and Financial Oversight Committee for the city. In his profile, Case told Patch traffic and budget plans would be his priority for the district. He cited his career as a data analyst as a benefit to budget discussions, "I am the District 5 candidate with the strongest skills and the most knowledge of Framingham's municipal operations — I am the only candidate with financial experience of working for an international asset management firm," he said.

Alexander is a School Committee member looking to make the switch to City Council. Alexander cited traffic as the biggest issue facing District 5 as well, highlighting traffic calming measures that have been implemented in neighboring communities, including 3D sidewalks and speed tables. Alexander retired from the U.S Army Reserves with 25 years of decorated service and said his military experience and time as an educator and School Committee member would help him lead the district, "My service to our country has taken me to many places throughout the United States, Canada and Europe training Soldiers or for Professional Development schools," he said.

Gordon is a real estate agent who served on Town Meeting before the city made the switch to it's new form of government. Gordon has made taxes her campaign focus, adding that businesses should be encouraged to open up and invest in the city. "I was concerned that the city doesn't do enough to encourage new businesses to come here or grow here which would lessen some of the burden on the residential taxpayers — I would like Framingham to be more proactive in recruiting companies to move to Framingham," she said.

District 8 School Committee

The District 8 School Committee seat is up for grabs as Gloria Pascual leaves the seat to try to run for a City Councilor at-large position. Three candidates are on the ballot for the District 8 seat: Jim Hansen, Jessica Barnhill and Leslie White-Harvey.

Hansen served on a few city boards and commissions including the Board of Public Works and the Water and Sewer Abatement Board. He named equitable distribution of resources as his priority for the district. "I would continue, in an official capacity, to work through the Racial Equity Subcommittee to monitor the ongoing efforts to complete the school district's equity audit, hold the administration accountable for its findings and ensure any suggested changes are fully and promptly addressed," he said.

Barnhill is an educator at Natick High School and has been teaching for 15 years. She listed inequity as the Public Schools biggest issue, particularly a "opportunity gap" in District 8. "It is time the children of south Framingham had the same educational opportunities as other students in our community —When do we stop talking theory and confront the real barriers to equity in our community," she said.

White-Harvey is also an educator in Natick Public Schools and a member of Framingham's Cultural Council. Harvey has made the question of possible south side school central to her campaign as well as communication between constituents and the superintendent and committee. "Our school committee needs to be as diverse as our student and parent population — I bring a voice and life experiences that would add to the decision making process, she said.

Framingham's preliminary election is on Tuesday, Sept. 17.