Danielle Leonard Wins Swampscott Open Select Board Seat

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Danielle Leonard will be the newest Swampscott Select Board member after a decisive victory in a two-person race for the seat open in Tuesday's annual town election.

Leonard and Katie Arrington were the two candidates in the race for the seat previously held by Peter Spellios. Spellios opted not to run for re-election this year after serving for nine years on the Board.

"This win really belongs to the people of Swampscott because it was their voices that were clearly heard today," Leonard said at her election headquarters on Tuesday night. "I couldn't be more humbled or grateful for that. I'm shocked by this outcome. But I'm pleasantly surprised. I hear you Swampscott and thank you for everything you did today.

"For everybody in this town who has had a really tough time of it, things are going to change. And I'm so looking forward to getting to work for the people of Swampscott."

In unofficial results, Leonard received 2,099 votes to Arrington's 736 votes. There were 2,918 overall votes cast in the race.

Arrington said in a message to Patch that she was proud of the campaign despite the defeat.

"My favorite part was getting to know the residents," she said. "Knocking on their doors. I entered into this to make a difference and this outcome won’t stop me from volunteering in the future.

"I'm proud of me."