Sullivan wins easily; Powers comes in second

By RICK COLLINS
The Patriot Ledger

BRAINTREE - Any chance of election-night drama ended once the first results were posted outside the town clerk’s office in town hall.

The short slips of paper showed that Joseph C. Sullivan had taken the town’s central voting districts handily. He would eventually sweep the town’s 12 precincts en route to a resounding victory in Tuesday’s preliminary mayoral election.

“We did pretty well,” Sullivan said, garnering laughs and applause from his supporters in Emerald Hall. “It is a recognition of what we’ve been doing and what we’ve been saying.”

The former state representative and Lottery director received 62 percent of the 7,836 votes cast.

He will be joined in the general election by Joseph F. Powers, who received 24 percent of the vote.

“This is an historic occasion and to be one of two is a wonderful opportunity,” said Powers, a sitting selectman.

Paul M. Walsh received 12 percent of the vote; Brian Muello, 1 percent.

Braintree is abolishing its town meeting form of government for one led by a mayor. The town’s first chief executive will be elected on Nov. 6 and sworn in Jan. 2.

Despite the historic nature of the election and the unseasonably warm weather, less than 35 percent of the town’s registered voters cast ballots Tuesday.

Although many people in town expected the final contest to be between Sullivan and Powers, two longtime and well-respected town officials, several political observers were surprised by the size of Sullivan’s victory.

At his post-election party, Sullivan told his supporters to enjoy the evening but be ready to rejoin the fight.

“It’s not a victory yet,” he said. “We need to do more work over the next six weeks.”

Bob Murphy of Watson Street spent a couple of hours holding a sign for Sullivan outside the East Middle School on Tuesday afternoon.

“Sullivan is committed to this town, and he’s shown that through service to the town,” Murphy said. “I think he has the experience and the ability to lead the town in the direction it needs to go.”

At his party, held at the Disabled American Veterans Hall on Liberty Street, Powers was upbeat.

“I’m so grateful to so many people who have worked so hard over the last couple of months,” he said.

Despite the results, Powers said the race is not over.

“There are clear differences between us, and now the hard work begins,” he said.

Walsh and Muello, who portrayed themselves as political outsiders, said they were disappointed.

“People got what they wanted,” Muello said, standing in the town hall auditorium. “They didn’t want change.”

Rick Collins may be reached at rcollins@ledger.com.