Lopsided Field Early in Braintree Election Cycle

While it is still relatively early in the local election process, Braintree so far has a dearth of School Committee candidates and few contested races. 

By Friday afternoon, Braintree had two contested races out of 12 based on people who have pulled nominating paperwork. Those are for Councilor-at-Large, where five candidates so far are vying for three seats, and District 5 Councilor, where four candidates seek one seat.


Only one candidate – incumbent David Ringius, Jr. – has pulled papers for School Committee. He is seeking a four-year seat, of which there are three available. Another two-year seat is open because Joe Zarrella resigned earlier this year.

School Committee Chair Shannon Hume, who would be up for re-election, has instead decided to run in the Councilor-at-Large race. She could also still pull papers for School Committee. Pam Kiley has yet to obtain paperwork, as has Sarah Nichols, who was appointed to fill Zarrella's seat through the Nov. 5 election.

Nichols and Kiley did not respond to messages.

The lack of candidates for School Committee positions and the scarcity of contested races concerns Town Clerk Joe Powers.

"I'm a little bit surprised that there are still some prominent vacancies," Powers said. "Time is of the essence."

Nomination paperwork became available Aug. 5 and candidates have until Sept. 13 to obtain the paperwork and Sept. 17 to submit it for review. They must collect between 50 and 150 signatures of Braintree residents depending on the position.

Like those who run for Councilor-at-Large, School Committee candidates must obtain at least 150 signatures town-wide, and Powers recommends to all candidates that they collect extra to get through the certification process.

"There's some work that has to get done," Powers said.

The relative scarcity of candidates is highlighted by a look back at the field in 2009, the only Braintree election that matches this process, with fall voting and no mayoral race.

Every council race but three was contested in 2009 and six candidates competed for three spots on the School Committee. Overall, seven of the 11 races were contested.

During that election, eight Councilor-at-Large candidates vied for three spots, compared to five so far this year. Even the Library Board of Trustees and Municipal Light Board seats were contested.

Powers said he expects that more candidates will enter the field after Labor Day weekend.

There are no other items, neither state or federal, on the ballot Nov. 5.