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Wednesday, September 15, 2010
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Rodrigues will face Maksy in November. Will Schmid
have an opponent?
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Rodrigues will face Maksy in November. Will Schmid have an
opponent? EverythingWestport.com Wednesday,
September 15, 2010 10:00 a.m.
“Voter turnout was just a little
above average for a primary (28%),” reported Town Clerk Marlene Samson. Computer problems had Westport Town
Clerk Marlene Samson pulling her hair out to get the final tallies to the
state and press. The Clerk’s new
printer was not configured properly. She was finally able to release the
printed totals at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Rodrigues and Schmidt overpowered
their opponents and won all five precincts. Left: Rodrigues (center) with family and
friends at his victory celebration. Photos/EverythingWestport.com See
Westport precinct results below. Republican Derek Maksy, a Supervisor at
the Department of Transportation and former Lakeville Selectman is little
known in Westport, and had an easy ride in the senate primary with no other
contestants. First Westport precinct returns
showed Michael Rodrigues with 3 to 1 margin, heralding a landslide in the
making. The Fall River Herald News reported
that “while the first set of returns
coming into Michael Rodrigues’ campaign team showed his opponent John
Mitchell taking the vote at the Tansey School, the momentum quickly turned as
calls continued to come in with results turning to Rodrigues’ favor.” “Rodrigues, the state representative from Westport,
came out on top in a four-person race to capture the Democratic nomination
for the 1st Bristol and Plymouth Senate seat being vacated by Joan Menard.” Read more of the article by Will Richmond. The Fall
River Herald News also reported that “Westport Selectman Paul Schmid won
the Democratic primary Tuesday for the 8th Bristol District, which represents
Westport and part of Fall River at the Statehouse.” Schmid cruised to an easy win over
opponents David Dennis and John Rodrigues in the race to fill the State
Representative - 8th Bristol District seat being vacated by Michael
Rodrigues. Write-in candidates Ronald Cabral and George Jacome,
both of Fall River, weren’t a factor. “We have seven weeks to prepare for
the final push,” Schmid (left) told his supporters celebrating at LePage’s
Restaurant. Schmid ran an aggressive campaign,
keeping himself visible at all public events, and going door to door in Fall
River. The Westport selectman, a self-described moderate democrat, is a
Westport farmer with deep concerns about agriculture and good government. At press time it was still unclear
whether republican David Proulx gathered enough write-in votes (150) to put
him on the November ballot facing Paul Schmid. Proulx has captured just 50
votes in Westport. Local “favorite sons” Rodrigues and Schmid make the
cut!
“Voters seem to be increasingly
turned off by negative campaign ads and mudslinging, but that hasn't deterred
political candidates from using these tactics,” says ThisNation.com. “I’m overwhelmed and at a loss for
words,” Rodrigues said at The Lady of Light Band in Fall River where he was
celebrating his victory with hundreds of supporters. “I was nervous all day,” Rodrigues
said after learning he won the primary. “You always have
doubts when you put yourself out there for examination. We ran a positive
campaign, no negative stuff. I’m proud of my staff and thank all those who
helped me honorably win this primary. We went all-in and won!” Rodrigues held his victory
celebration at the same venue in Fall River where he first announced he was
“going all in” for his senate run. Hardworking Rodrigues supported and
pushed for many Westport projects like the dredging of Westport harbor, new
beach houses and concession buildings at Horseneck Beach, the rebuilding of
Hix Bridge and the Route 88 Bridge, among many others. He is highly visible
with his constituents, supporting many worthwhile charities like the recent
17th annual Rock, Rhythm and Blues Festival in Westport. Barney Frank convincingly defeats challenger Rachel
Brown Unofficially, Frank took out Brown
with 81 percent of the vote, and Bielat won a credible victory, beating
Sholley with 61 percent of the vote. Frank and Bielat have set the stage
for a great contest in November. Earl Sholley won Westport by a 3 to 2
margin, but failed to carry the heavily populated areas in the northern part
of the district. Sean Bielat
Wins in 4th to Face Barney Frank Sean Bielat,
Marine and businessman, won a decisive victory in the 4th Congressional
district, gaining 61% of the vote in the Republican primary. He
now faces Barney Frank in the general election this November. "Voters in
the district came out in high numbers because they are hungry for change
in Washginton and looking for a candidate with experience from the real
world," said Bielat--who holds an MBA from The Wharton School and led a
$100 million product line for a defense technology firm prior to running for
office. Sean Bielat is a
Major in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and served active duty prior to
attending the Harvard Kennedy to School of Government with the help of the GI
Bill. Once a registered Democrat, Bielat became increasingly dismayed
at the way his party veered off course from Constitutional principles and
policies like those espoused by JFK that recognized the importance of a
strong national defense and creating economic policies that "lift all
ships." "My grandfather,
father and all my uncles served their country in uniform and voted
Democrat," said Bielat. "In the far left environment of
Harvard, after serving as a Marine, I realized how the views
of modern Democrats were decidedly different than my own and those
my father and grandfather held. I like to say that I got
my degrees from Georgetown, Harvard and Wharton, but I got my education
as a Marine and businessman." Top vote getters in Westport District Attorney Sam Sutter was top
vote getter in Westport (1912) followed by Mike Rodrigues with 1895. Results just in on other top state-wide primary races. Steve Grossman (D) wins
Treasurer with 61% of vote Suzanne Bump (D) wins Auditor with
49% Marty Connaughton (R) wins Auditor
with 86% Oliver Cipollina (D) wins Governor’s
Council Charles Cipollina (R) wins Governor’s
Council Maria Lopes (D)
wins County Commissioner Click here to read the
article on the election by Laura Paine/Staff Writer GateHouse News Service.
Campaign
volunteers work the voters. Left: Precinct E – Westport High
School. Right: Precinct B – Town Hall Annex 09/15/2010 - Write-in candidate David Proulx failed to
collect the necessary 150 votes to have
his name placed on the general election ballot in November. “If there was a surprise
that I didn’t plan for, it was the Westport vote,” Proulx said. “I
anticipated about 40 to 70 votes per precinct, so I have to say the Westport
tally was strange to me. Once I found out that I did poorly in Westport I
knew I was doomed.” Westport produced only 55 votes. More. Democratic primary winner Paul Schmid
of Westport now faces independent candidate F. George Jacome, of Fall River. Governor
Lieutenant
Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of
State
Treasurer
Auditor
Representative
in Congress
Councilor
Senator in
General Court
Representative
in General Court
District
Attorney
Sheriff
County
Commissioner
All results are unofficial. - - - - - End - - - - - © 2010 Community Events
of Westport All rights reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
