The two candidates for Ward 7, Kathy Lloyd and Anthony Simonelli may be competing for the same seat but they get along.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Both mayoral campaigns are in seemingly high spirits as they watched a steady number of voters go to the polls Tuesday.
With the weather approaching 70 degrees and sunny, volunteers from campaigns were out at polls holding signs while others called voters in hopes to get their base out. The biggest battle is for the mayor's office with incumbent Daniel Bianchi being challenged by City Clerk Linda Tyer.
"It is a beautiful day. We hope everybody gets out to vote. We're feeling good. We think we made the case that Dan is more qualified to run the city," said Ryan McCollum of the Bianchi campaign. "We know we have a large base of support and they're going to get out to vote."
For the Tyer campaign, Ward 5 City Councilor Jonathan Lothrop headed the field operations and feels what is projected to be a larger turnout than in other elections plays well for the city clerk.
"We're feeling really good. The turnout seems to be strong, people are responding to the message," Lothrop said. "We're hitting the numbers we are looking for with turnout over 40 percent."
Bianchi spent much of his morning in his Elm Street headquarters calling supporters to rally his team. McCollum said the campaign pushed hard during the weeks leading up to Tuesday and now the focus is to make sure supporters vote. The campaign is not only calling supporters but is also providing rides and standing outside of polling locations with signs.
"Our goal is to make sure everybody gets out to vote," McCollum said.
With Tyer winning the preliminary election by 830 votes, Lothrop says the higher voter turnout works in Tyer's favor. Volunteers for that campaign have also been out at the polls and making calls to get their side to the polls.
"There is a mathematical metric that Dan [Bianchi] would have to pick up a disproportionately high percentage of those people who are casual voters. I just don't see Dan as the casual vote getter. I think Linda is a change candidate and a frontrunner's," Lothrop said.
McCollum said the turnout doesn't help one candidate over another but that it is just good for democracy.
In other races, seven candidates are seeking four at-large seats on the City Council. Incumbents Churchill Cotton, Kathleen Amuso, and Melissa Mazzeo are being challenged by former councilors Peter Marchetti, Peter White, and Joseph Nichols, and newcomer Taylor DiSantis. Councilor At Large Barry Clairmont is not seeking re-election.
Lisa Tully is seeking to return to her Ward 1 seat but is being challenged by Tammy Ives. Incumbent Kevin Morandi is being challenged by Michael Merriam for Ward 2. Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli is being challenged by Kathy Lloyd. Former Councilor Richard Scapin is facing Donna Todd Rivers for Ward 5, where Lothrop opted not to seek re-election.
Nichols Caccamo, Christopher Connell, and John Krol are all unopposed for Ward 3, 4, and 6 respectfully. Former City Clerk Jody Phillips is running unopposed to return to that post.
"No matter what the outcome is, tomorrow we are all on the same team. We'll be working for the betterment of the city of Pittsfield," Lothrop said.
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