Kennedy draws top slot on Lynn mayoral ballot

LYNN – Mayoral candidate Judith Flanagan Kennedy drew the top ballot position Thursday in the race for the city’s top job.Kennedy’s name did not appear as a mayoral candidate on the ballot during the Sept. 15 preliminary election because she was a write-in running a sticker campaign. Despite that obstacle, she topped the ticket, narrowly gaining more votes than incumbent Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr.Clancy’s name will be second on the ballot on Nov. 3.City Clerk Mary Audley drew numbered ping-pong balls from a wooden rotating drum during a brief procedure in the Election Office. Among those to witness the drawing were councilor-at-large candidate George Miemeteas, School Committee candidate Richard Starbard, and Harry Coppola, husband of School Committee incumbent Donna Coppola.The ballot for the councilor-at-large race, from top to bottom, will be as follows: incumbent Paul Crowley, challenger Steve Duffy, challenger Eugene Schneeberg, incumbent Timothy Phelan, incumbent Daniel Cahill, and challenger Miemeteas.”I was first in the primary, and now I’m last in the final,” said Miemeteas. “I didn’t think I would be first again because lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place. But sixth is a good position. They say first or last are best.”In the race for Ward 2, challenger William Cooksey took the top slot with incumbent William Trahant Jr. in the No. 2 position.In Ward 4, challenger Gina Grandberry’s name will appear first, followed by incumbent Richard Colucci.In Ward 5, the only other ward in the city with a council race, Brendan Crighton will appear on top with James Stafford below. Both are newcomers.The race for School Committee has nine candidates for six seats. The ballot positions, from top to bottom, are incumbent John Ford Jr., challenger Harrison Harley III, challenger Richard Starbard, incumbent Maria Carrasco, challenger Dolores DiFillipo, incumbent Patricia Capano, incumbent Jeffrey Newhall, incumbent Donna Coppola and incumbent Vincent Spirito.Starbard, who drew the fourth slot in the preliminary election, showed up for the ballot drawing because he was unable to attend the preliminary proceedings. “I was home with pneumonia,” he said, noting he has moved into the third slot on the final ballot.Running unchallenged are Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi, Ward 3 Councilor Darren Cyr, Ward 6 Councilor Peter Capano and Ward 7 Councilor Richard Ford.Click here for complete Lynnelection coverage, candidate profiles and more. You may also comment on theelection and read what others have to say.