SALEM — The city will hold a preliminary election on Tuesday for mayor and City Council.
There are three candidates for mayor, including current Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, City Councilor Steve Dibble and Frank Perley III. One candidate will be eliminated from the mayoral race and each of the ward councilor races, leaving two candidates each on the November ballot.
Driscoll was first elected to the position in 2005 after serving on the City Council, becoming Salem’s first female mayor. She is a native of Trinidad and came to Salem for college, where she attended Salem State College.
If given a fifth term as mayor, Driscoll has listed among her priorities making the city welcoming and accessible to all residents, recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, climate resilience, improving the city’s public schools, creating more affordable housing and improving transportation options.
Dibble was elected as the Ward 7 city councilor in 2015 and previously served as the city planner. He is also a Boy Scout troop leader and volunteer at other community organizations and has won numerous awards, including a Salem Man of the Year award.
Dibble’s website lists among his priorities “smart” development, bringing business to the city while making it more affordable for residents; improving the city’s education system; protecting Salem’s wetlands; and repairing its infrastructure.
New candidate Perley has said on Facebook that he intends to preserve Salem’s historic value and promote marijuana education.
There are four ward councilor races on Tuesday’s ballot. In Ward 1, incumbent Robert McCarthy is being challenged by Maribel Steadman and Chris Malstrom. Ward 2 candidates are James Zavaglia, Armand Blanchette and Caroline Watson-Felt. Ward 4 candidates are Graysen Martinez Ocasio, Leveille McClain and Stephanie Rodriguz. In Ward 7, the seat vacated by Dibble in his bid for mayor, Andy Varela, Francis Riggieri and Veronica Faustino are running.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
