SWAMPSCOTT — There will be three fewer names on the ballot for the 2022 town election in April.
The deadline to file for withdrawals was Thursday, March 24, and three candidates chose to drop out of the race.
First, Polly Titcomb, current chair of the Select Board, decided to run for a seat of state representative in the 8th Essex District that was vacated by longtime state Rep. Lori Ehrlich, who stepped down on Jan. 31 to join the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as the Region 1 Administrator under the Biden administration.
“Public service and advocacy fill my heart and give my life deeper meaning. I hope to bring to Beacon Hill my passion for the issues that matter most to residents of Marblehead, Lynn, and Swampscott,” Titcomb said.
Scott Saunders, another candidate for one of the two open seats on the Select Board, chose to withdraw his nomination after a couple of weeks of thorough contemplation and many discussions with his family. He said he was aware of the time and effort Select Board members selflessly pour into their roles during their terms, and it became clear to him that he is not able to make such a commitment at this time.
“I hope to continue to volunteer my time for our community as a Town Meeting member and through different coaching opportunities, and I will seek out a potential good fit on a committee, but it’s not the right time for me to run for Select Board,” said Saunders, a father of three young children.
There are still three candidates hoping to fill the seats on the Select Board this April ― MaryEllen Fletcher, Kimberly Martin-Epstein and Catherine “Katie” Phelan.
Reggie Pagan, a retired firefighter, who was challenging Charles Patios and Sean Regan in the race for a vacancy on the Housing Authority Board of Directors, made a decision to withdraw her candidacy in favor of Regan. She said that after speaking with him she believes Regan has a lot to offer to the town as he has done public service for the office of former Mayor of Boston Thomas Menino and worked with public housing before.
“I really liked him,” said Pagan. “He sounds like he is really for giving back to the community because his father is from public housing.”
The town election will take place on Tuesday, April 26. The last day to register to vote is Wednesday, April 6, by 8 p.m.
The annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 16.
