SWAMPSCOTT — According to the preliminary results of Tuesday’s election, Danielle Leonard appears to have claimed victory in the race for the Select Board’s open seat.
Leonard soundly defeated her opponent, Katie Arrington, receiving 1,951 votes to Arrington’s 660. Leonard will fill the seat formerly held by Peter Spellios, who chose not to run for reelection after serving on the board for nine years.
Leonard expressed her gratitude for the support she received from her fellow residents throughout her campaign and on election day.
“I can’t express how grateful I am to the people of Swampscott. This election was really all about them and they made their voices quite heard,” Leonard said. “I’m humbled by this and I have the absolute best team of family and friends.”
During her campaign, Leonard expressed her desire to improve what she described as a divisive culture within both the board itself and the town’s community.
While Leonard has only lived in Swampscott for the past six years, she spent a decade working for the town’s school district. Her career began in payroll and as a principal’s assistant. She began her current role in Harvard University’s Human Resources Department this past winter. She believes her background equips her with the necessary skills to handle her new role as an elected official.
Arrington, a Swampscott native, returned to her hometown eight years ago with her husband to raise their two children there. She emphasized that she would listen to her constituents if elected throughout her campaign.
While she was disappointed by the election’s results, Arrington said she has no regrets.
“I ran a damn good campaign,” Arrington said. “I ran the campaign that I wanted to and not because anybody twisted my arm or told me I had to.”
Arrington added that she would not “rule anything out” when it comes to running for a Select Board seat again in the future.
