Supporters Young, Old and Gubernatorial Turn Out for Braintree Candidates

Midday turnout in Braintree was at an anemic 8 percent Tuesday, meaning that less than 20 percent of voters could end up showing up to the polls unless the clear weather spurs a serious increase in evening voting.

Not lacking throughout Braintree Tuesday morning and afternoon, however, were candidate supporters. They bundled up and stood outside polling locations in all six districts, most holding signs for those in the competitive Councilor-at-Large, School Committee and District 4 and 5 races.

At South Middle School, Councilor-at-Large Sean Powers campaigned with Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker.

"Everybody should get out and vote," Baker said. "This is the government that is closest to the people."

Lonzie Owens, whose son Michael is running for the District 5 seat against Nick DiMartino and Bill Sweeney, stood outside Town Hall Tuesday afternoon. He talked about how his son, even as a young child, always watched the news and could hold conversations with adults.

"He is quite a unique kid," Owens said. "I get tired just seeing his schedule."

John Carvello, running for an at-large seat, also held a sign with supporters at Town Hall. He said he anticipates an uptick in activity later in the afternoon and evening.

"After work you're going to see it," Carvello said.

Even one candidates' dog got into the election day spirit. Kara McInnis, wife of School Committee write-in candidate Andrew McInnis, held court with their Boxer Kenzie outside Hollis School early Tuesday afternoon.

Fellow write-in candidate George Kokoros and his son, daughters and wife Linda held signs outside Town Hall and handed out glossy postcards demonstrating how to write-in a candidate on the ballot.

"He's worked really, really hard to get it across," Linda Kokoros said of her husband's candidacy for a four-year School Committee seat.

The polls close at 8 p.m. Town Clerk Joe Powers will announce the unofficial results for each race Tuesday night, but not until the write-ins have been calculated, which could mean a long wait for candidates and their supporters.

For more information about the election, including all candidates on the ballot and where to vote, visit our Braintree Election Center.

And stay tuned for more Braintree Patch coverage.