Matt Donnelly Drops Out Of Selectmen Race

MANSFIELD, MA — One of the five candidates for the open seat on the Mansfield Board of Selectmen is taking his hat out of the race.

Citing a lack of a path to victory and lack of volunteers compared to other candidates, Matt Donnelly announced Sunday that he is backing out of November's special election. He has chosen to back Keep Mansfield Beautiful Director Neil Rhein.

"The ideas I’ve introduced in this campaign -- like pop-up shops, better parking management, makerspaces, transparency and civility in town government, and bringing more jobs of the future to Mansfield -- aren’t going away. I’ll work in whatever ways I can to bring them to life," Donnelly wrote in his announcement.

Remaining in the race are Rhein, former Selectman Olivier Kozlowski, former historical commission member Allen Bryer, and industrial and development commission member David Martin.

As of Monday afternoon, the Town Clerk's office has not been formally notified of Donnelly's exit, according to Town Clerk Marianne Staples. Because the announcement came after the Oct. 12 deadline to to withdraw, Donnelly's name will remain on the ballot.

The special election to fill the seat vacated by the late George Dentino is scheduled for Nov. 14.

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