PEABODY — While candidates still have three more months to pull papers for this year’s election, the ballot is beginning to take shape, headlined by the first contested race for mayor since incumbent Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr. was elected in 2011.
Nomination papers have been available since March 6, and potential candidates have until July 25 to file papers containing the required 50 signatures to appear on the ballot. In addition to the race for mayor, all 11 seats on the City Council are up for reelection, as are three seats on the School Committee.
For Bettencourt to secure his seventh two-year term, he will have to fend off challengers Robert Stevens and Rochelle Agneta, both of whom pulled papers this week, according to a list provided by the city clerk’s office Friday afternoon. In a Facebook post, Agneta said she is a lifelong resident of the city and is running in an effort to spark change.
“My heart belongs to the city and I intend to surround myself with knowledgeable people who will only have the best intentions for our city,” she wrote. “I will work with businesses in Peabody to spur economic growth and bolster city revenue. I will do my best to serve this community and make the right decisions that move Peabody forward while preserving the quality of life for its residents.”
Neither Bettencourt nor Stevens appear to have begun campaigning for the city’s top job, and Agneta’s Facebook page has just nine followers as of Sunday afternoon. Bettencourt won the mayoralty in 2011, defeating Sean Fitzgerlad, who is now the Swampscott town administrator.
Along with the contested race for mayor, residents will also determine the fate of at least two City Council seats with contested races.
In Ward 2, incumbent Peter McGinn faces a challenge from Mary Beth Mallia, while in Ward 6, residents will have at least three choices to replace departing incumbent Mark O’Neill, who announced earlier this month that he would not seek reelection. In that race, residents William Cardello, Ryan Cox, and Michael Higgins have all pulled papers.
Ward 3 Councilor Stephanie Peach, Ward 4 Councilor Julie Daigle, and Ward 5 Councilor David Gamache have all pulled papers to run for reelection and are not yet facing challengers, according to the list provided by the clerk’s office.
Thus far, two of the five sitting councilors-at-large, Ryan Melville and Thomas Gould, have pulled papers. Resident Bukia Chalvire, who ran for a councilor-at-large seat in 2021, is joining the race as well.
“I want to give back to my community and ensure that the quality of life that we all enjoy is not only maintained, but improved while keeping Peabody healthy, safe, and affordable,” wrote Chalvire, a Haitian immigrant, on Facebook as she announced her run. “Together with clear vision, hard work, and determination, we can accomplish many things for Peabody.”
Chalvire lost by roughly 900 votes during the 2021 election.
On the School Committee, voters will select three candidates to serve four-year terms. Only incumbents — Joseph Amico, Brandi Carpenter, and John Olimpio — have pulled papers thus far.
Incumbent Tracy Valletti is seeking reelection to the Municipal Light Commission after being appointed to finish out former Commissioner Charles Bonfanti’s term earlier this year. Valletti will serve two years if reelected.
No candidates have joined the race for the additional open seats on the commission, where voters will select two candidates to serve six-year terms.
The final race before voters this year is for seats on the Library Board of Trustees. Voters will select four candidates to serve six-year terms on the board, and only one candidate — Emily Cooper — has joined the race thus far.
