Rizzo elected new mayor of Revere in landslide

REVERE – Dan Rizzo won a resounding victory over fellow City Councilor George Rotondo Tuesday to become the city?s new mayor.Rizzo hugged supporters at Revere City Hall after finding out he won the election, receiving 5,429 votes to 3,938 for Rotondo.?It feels very good. It feels great,” Rizzo said with a smile. “I am very grateful.”He celebrated with a kiss from his wife and received a round of applause from everyone who was waiting for the results at City Hall. Current Mayor Thomas G. Ambrosino decided not to run for re-election.?I am so grateful for all the voters who came out today,” Rizzo said. “In a day and age where people have more and more on their plates, it is sometimes hard for people to get out and vote.”Close to 40 percent of registered voters turned out to vote Tuesday.The turnout impressed Rizzo.?It just shows how dedicated Revere citizens are to Revere,” he said. “It shows a level of commitment.”During the campaign, Rizzo boasted he has the right business background for the job and the right temperament.?I feel great that the people in Revere believed in me to vote me as their next mayor,” Rizzo said. “I plan on making them proud.”Rizzo already has an eye on his first day as mayor.?On day one I am going to look into each department and talk to each department head and find out what is working and what is not working,” Rizzo said. “Then (it?s) time to make some tough decisions and make sure every department is going to run as efficiently as it can.”While many predicted that Rizzo would win, the new mayor was still surprised by all the support he received. “I am very overwhelmed right now,” he said. “Words cannot express what I am going through.”Even though he lost, Rotondo seemed in good spirits.?Everyone wants to win, however, someone has to lose and today was my day to lose,” he said. “I am good. I am OK.”Rotondo congratulated Rizzo on his victory and reflected on the election. “Sometimes you can?t always take on the machine,” he said. “It is always worth the effort though.”During the election, Rotondo and Rizzo often traded barbs on their personalities and experience.Rizzo described Rotondo as “combative” and doubted his ability to lead. Rotondo criticized Rizzo for being a political insider.However, all politics were set aside Tuesday and each candidate had nothing but nice things to say about each other.?I wish him the best,” Rotondo said. “It is time for the city of Revere to move forward and succeed.”The former councilor at large sees himself going back into politics soon.?I see myself running for councilor at-large again,” Rotondo said. “I will be going back into politics as soon as I can. I think I do a good job representing the people.”However, before jumping back into Revere politics, Rotondo is going to take some time being a family man. “I?m going to take my two daughters to Disney,” he said.Rizzo is looking forward to his new job as mayor. “I can?t wait to get in there and start serving for the great people of Revere,” he said.Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].