Worcester Preliminary Has Small Turnout, Familiar Faces Advance

WORCESTER, MA — Tuesday's preliminary election in Worcester had a small voter turnout- possibly the smallest in the city's history. The residents who did hit the polls stuck with some familiar faces that will end up on the November ballot, including Mayor Joseph M. Petty who had a clear lead.

Worcester has over 100,000 registered voters in the city, but on Tuesday night only about 8,700 showed up to the polls — that's 8.69 percent of registered voters. The preliminary election determines who will be on the ballot for the at-large city council seats and the school committee seats in November.

The top 12 at-large candidates who receive the most votes in the preliminary election make it to the general election and the same rules apply for the school committee. There were 15 candidates vying for an at-large seat and 13 candidates vying for a school committee seat.

Petty jumped to the top of the at-large candidate race with 5,004 votes or 14.32 percent of the vote. Incumbent at-large City Councilor Kate Toomey was second with 3,893 votes. Three other incumbents snatched up the following places and votes on the ballot: Gary Rosen at 3,407 votes, Khrystian E. King at 3,307 votes and Morris A. Bergman at 3,253 votes.

Tony J. Economou, who is looking to make the switch from District 1 Councilor to an at-large seat, gained 3,128 votes putting him in sixth place. He was followed by Etel Haxhiaj, who received 2,710 votes, Donna M. Colorio with 2,449 votes, Bill Coleman at 2,042, Owurakwaku Poku Sarkodieh at 1,548 and Jesse G. Gibson at 1,017.

In a turn of events, the 12th spot was tied between Ralph A. Tiscione and Evan Corrigan who both gained 933 votes, leaving the final seat undecided. Election officials will have to count the ballots by hand to figure out who won.

The field of 12 candidates will battle it out in the polls in November when just six spots will remain.

As for the School Committee, 12 of the 13 candidates on the ballot will move on to the general election. Hermorne T. McConner had the fewest votes at 854 and won't be on the ballot in the general election.

Jack L. Foley led the school committee race with 4,001 votes. He was followed by John F. Monfredo with 3,248 votes, Brian A. O’Connell at 3,139 votes, Tracey O’Connell Novick at 2,949 votes, Molly O. McCullough at 2,949 votes, Laura Clancey at 2,558, Dianna L. Biancheria at 2,483 votes, Jermoh V. Kamara at 2,477 votes, Cara Lisa Berg-Powers at 2,322 votes, John A. Trobaugh at 2,125 votes, Chantel Bethea at 1,903 votes and Mariah Lizmari Martinez at 1,791 votes.

Worcester's general election will be Nov. 5.