Valadares Endorses Sisitsky; RFS Backs Feeney: Election 2021

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The third-place finisher in Tuesday's Framingham mayoral primary has already endorsed a candidate with the general election about six weeks away.

Carlos Valadares, the founder of the nonprofit Brazilian Children's Foundation, said in a statement Wednesday that he'll back Charlie Sisitsky, who is trying to unseat incumbent Mayor Yvonne Spicer.

Valadares said he met with Sisitsky for breakfast following the primary, and wants to help introduce him to downtown businesses owners — and some of the issues they are facing.

"I will always continue to serve and fight for the community in any way I can," he said in a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon. "For now, I hope to do so by working with Charlie Sisitsky to help the business community downtown. I met with him to discuss the issues and I believe that he is the right man for the job. I am confident that Charlie will work to give more voice to the people of Framingham and address the problems affecting our downtown and school systems."

Sisitsky had a very strong showing in Tuesday's primary. He came in first in the three-way contest with 4,401 votes to Spicer's 1,938, according to official results released Wednesday morning. Valadares picked up 363 votes, but could be key in helping Sisitsky gain support in Framingham's sizeable Brazilian community.

Feeney backed by Run For Something

There's also endorsement news in the District 3 City Council race between incumbent Adam Steiner and challenger MK Feeney. She announced Thursday the national group Run For Something (RFS) has endorsed her.

RFS typically backs progressive candidates from diverse backgrounds. Feeney was among dozens of candidates across 26 states endorsed by RFS this fall.

"I am honored to be recognized by Run for Something, an organization focused on supporting young, diverse progressives," she said in a news release. "As Framingham emerges in this post-pandemic recovery, we need leaders who know the challenges we face as a community can be addressed by empowering our people, thinking creatively and taking action."

The Nov. 2 Framingham election will feature all School Committee and City Council seats (except the two At-Large City Council seats), plus the library and cemetery boards of trustees. No school races are competitive, but races in Council in districts 2, 3, 5 (open race), 7 (open race) and 9 are.

Want to endorse a candidate? Email letters of support to neal.mcnamara@patch.com before Oct. 22.