Politics

This past week, after a two year hiatus, Americans returned to traditional Fourth of July celebrations. For many, however, recent decisions by the Supreme Court; testimony submitted to the January 6th Committee; and ongoing concerns for the future of democracy, tempered such celebrations. The following piece was written on July…

Editor’s Note: Tooch Van has been a friend for many years and has previously contributed items to this website. A poem he wrote appears in the 2021 edition of The Lowell Review. When I saw Tooch last summer to give him his copy of the Review, he was in the midst of…

The entry below is being cross posted from Marjorie Arons-Barron’s own blog. MA. Representative Ayanna Pressley is filing a resolution to strip Cong. Lauren Boebert of Colorado of her committee assignments as punishment for Boebert’s anti-Muslim slurs against Cong. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. With time ticking down on more serious matters, debating this…

Governor Charlie Baker’s announcement this week that he will not seek reelection to a third term as the governor of the Commonwealth will make the 2022 state election especially interesting. With that in mind, here is a synopsis of each gubernatorial race from 1970 until now. 1970 Governor – Francis…

While the city of Lowell has been the scene of many close elections, perhaps the most notable one is the 1953 city council race that was ultimately decided by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court five months after the election. The combatants in this contest were incumbent councilor Nicholas Contakos and…

November 2, 2021 – Turnout citywide: 12,095 of 67,867 (18%) (winners in bold) Council at Large Vesna Nuon – 6,156 Rita Mercier – 5,875 John Drinkwater – 5,696 Bobby Tugbiyele – 4,103 Deb Belanger – 3,435 Robert Hoey – 2,247 District 1 Daniel Rourke – 1,068 Rodney Elliott – 864…

Here’s a post from Marie Sweeney from 14 years ago this week. It was a busy time politically with a special election for the local Congressional seat looming and the general election for Lowell City Council and School Committee just a month away. A Busy Time By Marie Sweeney –…

The city held its first election under its new hybrid system of government on Tuesday (Sep 21, 2021). There were preliminary elections held in four of the eight city council districts. A preliminary must be held when there are  more than twice as many candidates as there are seats to…

There has been some controversy about the number and location of polling places for the upcoming city election. Here’s a look at the polling places used by the city 76 years ago in the 1955 city election. The places are organized by ward with the number preceding the name of…

Another in an occasional series of posts about past Lowell city elections. 1947 City Council Election November 11, 1947 – Tuesday – “Six incumbents returned to city council. They are joined by two school committee members and a former mayor.” Winners Former Mayor James J Bruin – 3633 Councilor Leo…