Lynn fall political contests shape up

LYNN – Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline for returning nomination papers to City Hall has elapsed, the results offering a look at how the mayoral and city council races are shaping up.As of today, Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. will face challenges from former mayor Patrick McManus and relative newcomer David M. Rohnstock.All three mayoral candidates have been certified by the city’s Election Office, according to City Clerk Mary Audley. A fourth potential candidate for mayor, Miguel Soto Sr., did not return his nomination papers.In the councilor-at-large race, incumbent and City Council President John Timothy Phelan, incumbents Paul T. Crowley, Judith Flanagan Kennedy and Daniel Cahill will be entered on the ballot along with at least two challengers – Stephen John Duffy and Eugene Schneeberg.Two others seeking councilor-at-large seats – Charles Self and George Meimeteas – returned their nomination papers but the signatures were still being verified Tuesday evening.Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi will run unopposed. In Ward 2, incumbent William Trahant Jr. faces a challenge from former Lynn newspaper reporter William Cooksey. A third candidate for the Ward 2 seat, Charles J. Blake, did not return his nomination papers.In Ward 3, Darren Cyr will run unopposed. Ward 4 Councilor Richard Colucci could face a challenge from Gina Grandberry and Teresa Walker, both of whom returned their nomination papers but the signatures remained uncertified early today.Ward 5 Councilor Paula Mackin will not seek re-election, leaving the field to newcomers Brendan Crighton and James Stafford. A third potential candidate for the Ward 5 seat, Kristin Korpos, was first in the field to take out nomination papers but did not return them by the deadline.In Ward 6, Peter Capano will run unopposed since challenger Michael Powers withdrew from the race.Ward 7 Councilor Richard Ford, the City Council vice president, will also run unopposed.In the race for School Committee, the field of candidates includes incumbents Patricia Capano, Maria Carrasco, Donna Coppola, John Ford Jr., Jeffrey Newhall and Vincent Spirito, along with newcomers Harrison Harley III and Richard Starbard. A ninth candidate, Gilbert DeCosta, returned his nomination papers but was not yet certified. A glitch in the Election Department’s system led some candidates to believe the deadline to turn in their signatures for the fall election was Monday. However, they actually had until 4 p.m. Tuesday.Audley explained that a typographical error caused the mix-up, adding that no candidate would be eliminated as a result.