2017 Walpole Town Election Results: Controversial Planning Board Candidate Loses, Challengers Join Boards

WALPOLE, MA — A candidate for planning board who attracted controversy in the final days prior to the Walpole Town Election has lost.

George Hodges was the odd man out in his bid to join the planning board. With voters being asked to pick two out of three candidates, incumbent John Conroy and challenger Sarah Khatib won spots on the board. Hodges gained attention for past statements made on social media that appeared to be anti-Muslim in nature. "New rule of thumb. If there’s a rag on your head. You want Americans dead."

His opponent Khatib is Muslim-American.

Hodges defended the post as lyrics to an anti-ISIS song he wrote and said he is the grandson of Syrian immigrants and has been insulted due to his heritage as a Syrian Orthodox Christian.

In the selectmen race, Mark Gallivan won another three-year term while Ann Ragosta joins the board with a two-year term.

Beth Muccini, the only incumbent in the school committee race, will return to the committee and will be joined by Kristen Syrek, who break Melody Hugo and Michael Teeley.

Below are the full results:

Image: File Photo