Framingham Special Election Guide: Steiner Vs. Feeney, Part 2

FRAMINGHAM, MA — After only about two months, Election Day is back in Framingham.

On Tuesday, residents in District 3 will go to the polls (or the mailbox) to cast a vote in the rematch between incumbent District 3 Council Adam Steiner and challenger Mary Kate Feeney.

The race made statewide news after Feeney requested a recount after Nov. 2, when she was down by just two votes. The recount ended in a tie, an outcome so improbable there's no specific solution for it in the City Charter.

What followed was a rollercoaster of procedure. Feeney asked the City Council to set a special election. They narrowly agreed, voting 5-4 to set the rematch between Christmas and New Year's. Steiner went to Middlesex County Superior Court, arguing that the new ballots counted for Feeney during the recount were a mistake.

The judge agreed with Steiner and threw out those two ballots, which had tiny marks next to Feeney's name and ovals filled out completely for other candidates (see images of the ballots here). But an attorney representing Feeney was able to convince a judge to set a new election citing two "irregularities" during the Nov. 2 election.

That brings us to today, three weeks out from the Jan. 11 special election. Here's what you need to know — whether you're a D3 resident or an interested onlooker:

Are you registered?

Check if you're a registered voter in District 3 on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website.

Who's on the ballot

Steiner and Feeney, that's it.

Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Christopher Barry-Smith barred other candidates from entering the election, per the request of City Solicitor Chris Petrini.

Where, when to vote

Polls will be open on Jan. 11 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The only polling location is the Brophy School, 575 Pleasant St.

Barry-Smith has also allowed mail-in rules used in the Nov. 2 election to remain in place. If you're voting by mail, it's best to drop off your ballot at either the City Clerk's office, or one of two ballot boxes.

Candidate forums

The League of Women Voters of Framingham (LWV) held a candidate forum on Jan. 5, and you can view it here. The LWV also hosted a forum between Feeney and Steiner in October, which you can view here.

Who are these candidates?

You can read about each candidate in their previous Patch questionnaires. Click here for Adam Steiner, and here for Mary Kate Feeney.

Feeney, 39, owns the advertising and marketing firm Dockside Media, and previously worked for former governor Deval Patrick and the state tourism office. This is her second run for office after she ran in 2018 in the Democratic primary to replace state representative Chris Wash. She placed third in a four-way write-in campaign.

Steiner, 48, was first elected to Council in 2017, has been in charge of the powerful Finance Subcommittee over the past two years. He has also been the Council vice chair during that same time. He works as the director of technology for Maynard Public Schools.

As the Nov. 2 election results showed, Steiner and Feeney had pretty even support from District 3 residents, with just two votes separating them. Both are well-known in local politics and are members of the Framingham Democratic Committee, and both advocate for things like rail trails, open space and reducing traffic.

Who's backing them?

Although Steiner and Feeney appear to share some political positions, they also represent different parts of Framingham's factious political scene.

Feeney has received campaign donations from a clutch of City Councilors who were among outgoing Mayor Yvonne Spicer's biggest critics, and who often vote together:

• District 8 Councilor John Stefanini and his wife gave $350 total, and also donated to Feeney during the 2018 state House primary. Stefanini also volunteered for Feeney during the recount.
• District 4 Councilor Michael Cannon has donated $1,500 to Feeney over the past year ($500 of that donated in 2020), plus $250 for the 2018 state House primary.
• New Framingham School Committee Chair Priscila Sousa gave $150.
• At-Large Council Janet Leombruno and her husband gave $550 in 2021.
• Former School Committee member Scott Wadland gave $250, and current member Jennifer Moshe gave $50.

Steiner received support from Councilors who often sided with Spicer, although he endorsed mayor-elect Charlie Sisitsky. He also got donations from state Reps. Maria Robinson and Jack Lewis, who were two of Sisitksy's biggest backers. Because he works for a school district, Steiner has a tougher road getting donations (state ethics rules prohibit public employees from directly asking for contributions), but has a fair share of local elected officials backing his campaign:

• State Rep. Maria Robinson's political committee has donated $100, and has explicitly endorsed Steiner.
• State. Rep. Jack Lewis' political committee also donated $100, and has canvassed on behalf of Steiner.
• Outgoing District 5 Councilor Robert Case gave $50.
• District 2 Councilor Cesar Stewart-Morales gave $25.
• Outgoing Councilor Margareth Shepard's political committee has given $68.09 and an explicit endorsement.

Letters of support

A slew of local residents and officials have submitted letters in support of both candidates. You can view them here:

• Support For Steiner In Framingham D3 Race: Letters
• Vote For Adam Steiner In D3 Council Race: Letters
• Former Councilor Backs Feeney In D3 Council Race: Letter
• Reps. Maria Robinson, Jack Lewis Back Steiner In Council Race

Clarification: An earlier version of this story indicated City Council Chair George King gave $100 to Feeney's campaign. He made the donation in 2018 during her state House run, not during the 2021 City Council race.