Stone Wins Sudbury Parks Commission Seat As Write-In

SUDBURY, MA — Sudbury's 2022 election featured a relatively rare feat: a write-in candidate won a seat.

In 2022, there were two seats up for election on the Sudbury Park and Recreation Commission. But only incumbent Mara Huston turned in paperwork before the deadline to get her name on the ballot.

The other empty seat up for election was left to two write-in candidates: Jennifer Stone and Richard Williamson. Both candidates were able to campaign as write-ins before Election Day, and each garnered hundreds of votes.

After counting the write-in ballots, Stone came out ahead with 691 votes to Williamson's 427. Although Williamson's name was not on the ballot, he was technically the incumbent after getting reelected to a parks board seat 2019.

"I’m extremely fortunate to have some pretty amazing friends, neighbors and fellow Sudburians, from those who shared invaluable insight and encouragement almost 24/7 the past few weeks to hosting yard signs, sending emails, texts, holding signs and coming out in full force to vote. You are the best!!" Stone wrote this week after the results came in.

The Sudbury Park and Recreation Commission oversees parks in Sudbury broadly, including facilities like the Fairbank Community Center. The commission has supported plans to renovate the Fairbank center.