Election 2017: Salem Voter's Guide

SALEM, MA -- While it's long been speculated she would eventually seek higher office, Mayor Kimberly Driscoll seems to want to spend the next four years in Salem. Driscoll is running for a fourth term against former City Councilman Paul Prevey in the November 7 election. Polls open at 7 am Tuesday and close at 8 pm.

For Prevey's part, he's something of an anomaly in recent Salem mayoral politics, representing the first legitimate challenger Driscoll has faced when seeking reelection for the office she first won in 2005. While he served on City Council from 2006 to 2013, Prevey positioned himself as an outsider in two debates, attacking the quality of Salem's public schools and the rising cost of housing, which has made the city affordable for many long-term residents.

"Salem has become very unaffordable, and across the City, I see and speak with many people who feel that the quality of life has diminished over the years," Prevey said in a May interview with Salem Patch. "Despite the amount of taxes, fees, surcharges and fines people pay for various city-related items, people do not feel that they are getting much in return."

Driscoll, meanwhile, has focused on remaking Salem's waterfront. While Prevey has criticized her for taking a top-down approach to managing the city, Driscoll claims her administration has made the city more "user friendly" and her hands on approach has helped bring a number of key developments that have made Salem a better place for residents and visitors alike.

"As we plan and prepare for the City's 400th anniversary in 2026, we will need to continue the important work of advancing our public schools, addressing our aging infrastructure and tending to important housing and transportation needs," she said in a May interview with Salem Patch. We are on a positive trajectory, but more will be required to position Salem for continued success.

Other Races: Ballot Question On Sanctuary City Status, City Council Races And School Committee

One key issue where the two mayoral candidates differ is the ballot question in Tuesday's election that would effectively make Salem a so-called Sanctuary city. In April City Council reaffirmed the city's existing policy to all city residents and government officials would not require people to show proof of legal immigration status before providing city services. A petition drive and City Council's failure to rescind the measure in a heated, May 25 meeting put the question on the November ballot to be decided by voters.

Prevey opposes the ordinance, which Driscoll filed with Ward 4 Councilor David Eppley. Eppley, of Boston Street, is not seeking reelection to represent Ward 7; instead, he is one of eight candidates seeking four Councilor At Large seats on City Council. The incumbents in that race are Elaine Milo of Marlborough Road, Arthur Sargent of Maple Avenue, Thomas Furey of Dunlap Streetand Jerry Ryan of Locust Street. The field of eight is rounded out by Jeffrey Cohen of Hancock Street, Domingo J. Dominguez of Raymond Road and Liz Bradt of Larchmont Road.

Six of the seven Ward seats on city council feature contested races. Incumbent Stephen Dibble of Moffatt Road is running unopposed in Ward 7. Click here to view Salem's ward and precinct map. In the contested races:

• Incumbent Robert K. McCarthy of Bay View Avenue faces Annalyssa Murphy of Essex Street in Ward 1.
• Mary Usovicz of Botts Court and Christine Madore of Federal Street are running for Ward 2 Councilor.
• Lisa Peterson of Broad Street is challenging incumbent Stephen Lovely of Story Street in Ward 3.
• Robert A. McCarthy of Valley Street and Timothy Flynn of Sable Road are running in Ward 4. There is also a write-in candidate in Ward 4, who has gained traction usually reserved for candidates on the ballot: Ana Campos picked up the endorsement of the Salem News earlier last month.
• Incumbent Josh H. Turiel of Lafayette Street is being challenged by Mary Wilbert of Cedar Street in Ward 5.
• Incumbent Beth Gerard of Larchmont Road is defending her seat in Ward 6 against Nadine M. Nastasi-Hanscom of Bay View Circle.

Five candidates are running for three openings on the school committee. Each seat has a four-year term. The candidates are Amanda Campbell of Daniels Street, Manny Cruz of Grove Street, Andrea French of Cleveland Road, Ana Nuncio of Winter Street and Jean Martin of Leavitt Street.

Voter Information

The city Web site has information for voters, including a copy of the ballot, polling location and registration status information. The deadline to register for Tuesday's election has already passed; it fell on October 18 this year.

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Patch file photos.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).