LYNN — Election season began Monday in Lynn as incumbent politicians and newcomers flocked to City Hall to obtain nomination papers for local political offices.
Familiar faces visited the city’s home base to run for City Council and School Committee seats and for the mayor’s office, which is up for grabs after Thomas M. McGee announced he would not seek re-election this fall.
City Council President Darren Cyr started off the day as the first candidate to pull nomination papers for mayor, followed by School Committee members Jared Nicholson and Michael Satterwhite, who are also seeking the corner office.
Cyr said it felt great to make it official Monday morning at City Hall.
“The response has been humbling,” he said.
Satterwhite, who was accompanied by his wife and their three children, said that it was a surreal feeling.
“Honestly, since I was a kid, I would do small things to make our city better,” he said. “From painting those yellow footprints from the Lynn Museum through the city’s downtown history over to the beach, to my work with Volunteers of America, and to most recently serving on the School Committee and the boards of amazing nonprofits. Over time, my city has molded me into the mayor we now need.”
Nicholson also expressed his excitement and gratitude to his supporters.
“I am thrilled to start this campaign at such an important moment for the city and very excited to be talking with voters about Lynn’s future,” he said.
Councilor-At-Large incumbents Brian LaPierre, Brian Field, Buzzy Barton and Hong Net were also seen retrieving nomination papers.
LaPierre said that he is excited to run again and was ecstatic picking up his nomination papers.
“Whether it be constituent services, addressing the housing crisis in Lynn, (or) food insecurity due to COVID-19, I stand ready to help my fellow Lynners,” he said. “I will continue to try to bring my campaign from City Hall to our neighborhoods … during COVID-19, now more than ever.
“As elected officials, we must not only meet the moment, but exceed the moment as the needs are enormous and the council work we have done to date has had a strong impact on everyday life.”
Field, who was accompanied by his wife, said that serving on the City Council for the past three years has been an absolute honor.
“I am grateful for the support my wife and children have been (giving me) and for allowing me the time it takes to be effective in my duties,” he said. “Our city has so much to offer to all its residents and visitors, and I look forward to more conversations about how we can continue moving our city forward together.”
Field thanked his supporters and said that he will be collecting signatures from registered voters over the next couple of months in a safe and organized manner.
School Committee member Donna Coppola visited City Hall on Monday to retrieve papers for re-election, while three new candidates picked up papers to run for the school board: Eric Dugan, Tiffany Jean Magnolia, who ran unsuccessfully two years ago, and Lenny Pena.
Ward 2 Councilor Rick Starbard, Ward 4 Councilor Richard Colucci, Ward 5 Councilor Dianna Chakoutis, Ward 6 Councilor Fred Hogan and Ward 7 Councilor John “Jay” Walsh all picked up papers for re-election.
Hogan said that he is “ready to continue to work hard for the residents of Ward 6 Lynn.” Natasha Megie-Maddrey, who ran unsuccessfully for Ward 4 councilor two years ago, took out papers Monday for that seat.
The city of Lynn election calendar for 2021 states that mayoral candidates must receive a minimum of 500 signatures, with no more than 150 from any one ward. Councilor-at-Large candidates must receive 350 signatures with no more than 100 from any one ward, while School Committee members need 100 signatures.
The city of Lynn advises candidates to collect 20 percent over the minimum amount of required signatures, to cover for non-voters.
Nomination papers became available Monday morning and will remain available until Friday, June 25, at 4 p.m. The last day to return papers is Monday, June 28, at 4 p.m. Papers can be withdrawn with or objected to by City Clerk Janet Rowe, until Thursday, July 29, at 5 p.m.
The preliminary election is set to take place on Tuesday, Sept. 14 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the last day to register to vote for the preliminary election is Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m.
The final election will occur on Tuesday, Nov. 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with Wednesday, Oct. 13 being the last day to register for the city election.
