Last-Minute Write-In Candidate Shakes Up North Andover Election

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — A 14-year North Andover resident is making a long-shot bid to unseat Select Board member Rosemary Connelly, who thought she had been running for re-election unopposed as recently as Monday afternoon. Julie Ross, of 104 Bridges Lane, announced her candidacy for Tuesday's election on Patch's Neighbor Post and social media Monday night.

Ross is married to an engineer and the mother of three sons, all of whom are students in the North Andover Public School system. She was not immediately available for comment Tuesday morning. In the campaign announcement posted by a supporter, she promised a "fresh perspective on things with the town's best interests in mind."

The only other race on the ballot is an uncontested race for School Committee, where Amy Mabley is running unopposed for reelection. Polls are open Tuesday until 8 p.m. and all voting takes place at North Andover High School.