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Sciarra, Warner Top Northampton Mayoral Preliminary

November's field for mayor of Northampton, Massachusetts, is now set, as Gina-Louise Sciarra and Marc Warner were the top two finishers in Tuesday’s preliminary election.

Sciarra, the City Council president, had about 60% of the vote in the field of four. Warner, a transportation analyst, was a distant second, at nearly 22%. He beat out social worker Shanna Fishel, who checked in at 14%.

Roy Martin, a retiree, rounded out the field with 81 votes.

After the results were in, Sciarra said she's going to focus on several issues going forward.

"I want to keep working on housing issues, and talking about that," Sciarra said. "I want to keep working on sustainability issues, and making sure we meet our carbon-neutrality goals."

Sciarra also touted her experience on the council, something Warner seems to be taking aim at. He said one of the reasons he decided to run for mayor was a controversial vote by the council last year to cut 10% from the police budget, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police.

Warner said the decision "was something that was a breach of the trust we put in our elected officials, and that it had negative consequences for the city. You have to be more thoughtful when you make a big change like that.”

Mayoral candidates Marc Warner and Shanna Fishel chat on September 28, 2021, while waiting for preliminary election results at Northampton City Hall.
Credit Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican / Masslive.com/photos
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The Republican / Masslive.com/photos
Mayoral candidates Marc Warner and Shanna Fishel chat on September 28, 2021, while waiting for preliminary election results at Northampton City Hall.

Warner was able to earn a spot on November’s ballot despite limited fundraising. According to the latest state campaign finance data, he had raised $1,510.83 — which includes $750 he loaned the campaign.

Sciarra had taken in nearly $22,000, while Fishel raised more than $11,600.

According to the unofficial results posted by the Northampton city clerk’s office, turnout was just over 24%. Holyoke, which held its mayoral preliminary with a seven-candidate field last week, drew about 19%.

Northampton's incumbent mayor, David Narkewicz, is not running for another term after holding the seat since 2012. He made a $500 donation to Sciarra’s campaign prior to the preliminary.

Adam joined NEPM as a freelance reporter and fill-in operations assistant during the summer of 2011. For more than 15 years, Adam has had a number stops throughout his broadcast career, including as a news reporter and anchor, sports host and play-by-play announcer as well as a producer and technician.
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