Harrington, Stewart earn rematch

By Maria Papadopoulos
Enterprise staff writer

BROCKTON — Voters on Tuesday secured a rematch of former political rivals Jass Stewart and incumbent Mayor James Harrington in November.

And if Tuesday's close preliminary election is any indication of what's to come in the weeks ahead, their second-round tilt for the mayor's office will be heated, several said.

Harrington, with 3,620 votes, won by a slim margin of 107 votes over Stewart, who garnered 3,513 votes in Tuesday's preliminary.

The two candidates pushed out candidate Gayle Kelley from the race. Kelley received 1,016 votes.

At his post-election party at Jeano's Restaurant on Main Street, Stewart said that while he was pleased with Tuesday's outcome, his campaign in the coming weeks will be more focused than ever on city issues and a November win.

“We are up early tomorrow morning, hitting the streets and meeting people where they are,” said Stewart, 36, in his second bid for mayor.

He will continue to campaign on his “Five Point Plus Plan” that targets accountability, jobs, education, safety, home ownership and leadership.

“We're listening more intently and providing even better solutions to the concerns facing the residents of our city,” Stewart said.

Harrington refused comment when reached at his post-election party at Joe Angelo's Cafe & Deli at Crescent and Main streets Tuesday night.

In 2005, Stewart won 44 percent of the vote against Harrington, who is seeking re-election.

On Tuesday, Stewart took 43 percent of the vote against Harrington.

“The voters in our city are making it clear that change is on the horizon,” Stewart said.

Tuesday's contested preliminary brought more voters out than predicted — 19.5 percent of the city's 42,175 registered voters. That figure is up from 15 percent of voters who turned out for the 2005 preliminary.

There are more than 94,000 city residents.

Stewart, a Clyde Street resident, won in wards 2, 4 and 7, while Harrington, who lives on Thorny Lea Terrace, took wards 1, 3, 5 and 6.

Kelley, in her first run for political office, said while she was disappointed she did not win, she accomplished what she set out to do.

“I got into this race to re-inspire people to get re-engaged” in the voting process, said Kelley, 58, the city's former cultural affairs director, from her campaign headquarters on Main Street after the election.

Stewart tipped his hat to Kelley for joining the race and “bringing new voices to the table.”

Kelley said she does not yet know which candidate she will support in November.

But of her campaign supporters, she said, “We will play a significant role in talking about who we'll cast our votes for and who we'll work on behalf of.”

Paul “Red” Sullivan, a Harrington supporter, echoed comments by several residents of the mayoral match.

“It's going to be a tough race,” said Sullivan, 73.

Voters will select a mayor in the Nov. 6 election.

Maria Papadopoulos can be reached at mpapadopoulos@enterprisenews.com.