Voters look to turn the page in several cities, including Everett

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“Change is good,” one Worcester voter said to GBH News after hitting the polls Tuesday. “The only constant is change.”

Several cities across Massachusetts seemed to agree. In Somerville, voters had already cast aside the incumbent in the prelim. Faced with a candidate endorsed by democratic socialists, Willie Burnley Jr., and one backed by three former mayors, Jake Wilson, they opted for the pragmatic second choice.

Everett voters jettisoned Mayor Carlo DeMaria in favor of Councilor Robert Van Campen. The ouster came after DeMaria oversaw a building boom in the industrial city over his nearly 20 years in the job, attempted to lock in a 25,000-seat stadium for a soccer team owned by the Kraft Group, and reaped “longevity” bonuses that were questioned by the state inspector general.

In Brockton, voters chose the city’s first mayor of color, elevating Moises Rodrigues, a Cape Verdean, over Jean Bradley Derenoncourt, a Haitian immigrant. Quincy voters placed reformers into the majority on the City Council, with a critic of Mayor Tom Koch, Anne Mahoney, topping the ticket. Change was afoot in other parts of the state, too, according to Western Massachusetts Politics & Insight.

That wasn’t the case in every city with municipal elections on the ballot. Taunton reelected Mayor Shaunna O’Connell to a fourth term over Estele Borges, a councilor who was on her third match-up against O’Connell. 

Over in Boston, there wasn’t much change because the shift had already occurred over the last two election cycles: Michelle Wu became the first person of color elected Boston mayor in 2021, and she ran a winning slate of City Council candidates in 2023.

On Tuesday night, an unopposed Wu held a joint victory party in Boston’s Seaport with two City Council allies, Ruthzee Louijeune and Henry Santana. She announced from the stage Louijeune’s ticket-topping victory and a “landslide” for Santana, who was widely viewed as the most vulnerable incumbent. (Wu was successful in keeping Frank Baker, a critic, from returning to City Hall, in a vigorous effort that recalled her mayoral mentor Tom Menino’s success in blocking Michael Flaherty from getting his old council seat back in 2011.)

To some ears in the room, Louijeune’s own speech sounded Congressional in its tone, a foreshadowing of more change on the way in 2026 if her congresswoman, Ayanna Pressley, opts to run for Senate in 2026.

I’m still looking over the results. What did I miss, and what stood out to you? Let me know: [email protected].

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…The state Department of Revenue is due to report on tax collections during the month of October. The Healey administration is expecting to bring in $2.765 billion during the month, which would be $79 million more than last October….

9:00 | The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce holds an economic outlook panel discussion, focused on local, national and global economics, as well as retail, finance and hospitality. The discussion will explore trends that will shape 2026, plus economic opportunities and challenges. | Seaport Hotel Boston, 1 Seaport Lane, Boston

11:00 | Gov. Maura Healey joins GBH News' Boston Public Radio for her "Ask the Governor" segment | Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St., Boston | GBH 89.7 FM

11:30 | The Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education and Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy host the "Condition of Education in Western Massachusetts." Education Secretary Pat Tutwiler will give the keynote address. | The Delaney House, Holyoke

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As polls show Ed Markey with a sizable lead over Seth Moulton and speculation swirls around Ayanna Pressley’s consideration of a Democratic primary challenge, the incumbent senator’s reelection campaign continues to roll out union endorsements. The latest is from the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Massachusetts.

The endorsement comes from four locals – 328, 791, 1445 and 1459 – representing 30,000 Bay State workers in the grocery, health care, retail, food processing, and warehouse sectors. Citing his support for the 2019 Stop & Shop strike, 791’s Peter Derouen said, “This tough political and economic climate ensures there will be many tough fights in the years to come, but there is no one we would rather have on our side.”

The raft of unions that have backed Markey in recent months as he’s geared up for a fight with Moulton, including National Association of Government Employees NAGE/SEIU Local 5000, IBEW Local 103, AFSCME Council 93, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, and the New England Joint Board of UNITE HERE, among others.

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The 2026 gubernatorial election thrummed in the background of the municipal election cycle that met its end last night. Up for reelection, Gov. Maura Healey so far has three GOP contenders vying for the chance to challenge her. A new UMass/YouGov poll a year out shows she’s well-positioned for a second term, with the caveat that plenty can change in the coming months.

Mike Kennealy, former Gov. Charlie Baker’s economic development chief, led the GOP field with 44%, with former MBTA executive Brian Shortsleeve and medical device CEO Michael Minogue each at 13%. Twenty-seven percent said they’re not sure.

The three each hovered around 26% to Healey’s roughly 50% in head-to-head matchups. Healey’s approval rating stood at 57%. More from WCVB is available here.

MINOGUE MONEY: Wealthy biotech executive Michael Minogue cut himself a $1.5 million check in his campaign for governor and pulled in $373,000 from individual donors in his first fundraising month since getting into the race. – WBUR

CANDIDATE SCORNED: Before he criticized AIPAC, the pro-Israel group, Seth Moulton sought its support for his Senate campaign against Ed Markey, according to a report. – Jewish Insider

EASTHAMPTON MAYORAL: Salem Derby keeps the mayoral seat after a three-way election after the departure of Nicole LaChappelle. – MassLive

DISTRICT 7: Miniard Culpepper beat out Said “Coach” Ahmed for the seat vacated by Tania Fernandes Anderson after she pleaded guilty to federal public corruption charges. – Universal Hub

HOLYOKE RIFT: A public records request reveals a split between Holyoke City Councilor David Bartley and Mayor Josh Garcia, with Bartley calling Garcia a “desperate liar.” – MassLive

NATIONAL GUARD: Attorney General Andrea Campbell said Massachusetts is preparing for President Trump’s possible deployment of the National Guard to the Bay State. “Of course, I hope they don’t, because the narrative they’re suggesting is that they would come here to promote public safety, and we are doing just fine,” she said. – Boston Herald

ICE IN BOSTON: Federal immigration agents raided a car wash in Boston’s Allston-Brighton neighborhood, detaining nine immigrants who work at the site. – GBH News

WilmerHale law firm renews downtown Boston lease

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Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General

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