Challengers feel sting, hope after incumbents take Lynn preliminary

LYNN – If Tuesday’s preliminary election were viewed as a straw poll for the City Council race then the incumbents should feel fairly confident heading into the final election on Nov. 5.”I learned democracy is a tough business,” said Ward 2 challenger Jesse Jaeger.Jaeger lost the preliminary election to incumbent William Trahant by a steep 586 votes.Ward 3 Councilor Darren Cyr beat Ron Mendez 607 votes to 350. Ward 4 Councilor Richard Colucci beat his opponent Ariana Murrell-Rosario by nearly a 2-1 margin, 410 votes to 259 and Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi had a 210 vote lead over his challenger Debra Plunkett.Plunkett, however, said she was thrilled with Tuesday’s outcome.”I’m more motivated than ever,” she said speaking from Wyoma Square where she said she was holding a thank you sign.She said she believed that if she could get enough votes in the preliminary going up against a 10-year incumbent she would be taken seriously as a candidate.”And I think this was a huge success,” she said.Lozzi admitted it was a tough primary but he is happy he came out on top.”There is still a lot of work to do over the next seven weeks and I have to continue to work as a councilor,” he said. “I have a lot of goals I want to continue to meet.”Jaeger said he knew he was going up against an opponent who is well-known in the community, whose family has deep roots and “is not a bad guy.””I like Bill,” Jaeger said. “I just think he has been in office a long time and it’s time for a change but people need to know why a change.”Jaeger said his challenge is to reach out more to residents to explain his vision and his plans. “I feel like once I get a chance to talk to people and they get to know me, they’ll understand the need for a change,” he said.Mendez had a similar plan and outlook. “Obviously I’m disappointed, but it’s the general election that counts,” he said. “I’m definitely not ready to pack it in. I’m definitely moving on and I think I have a good message to bring to the citizens of Ward 3.”Cyr said he was very happy with his 62 percent of the vote considering he had to split his politicking between the new Marshall Middle School campaign and his ward campaign.”Now I just have to work on keeping that lead,” he said.Cyr said that will translate to a lot of door knocking, coffee times and talking with constituents.Colucci said it will be the same for him.”I’m happy, elated,” he said regarding his win. “I think my constituents know I do what they ask me to do and they came out and voted for me.Kait Taylor contributed to this story.