Quincy Quarry post Quincy primary elections coverage and analysis

<![CDATA[

– News and commentary about Quincy from Quincy Quarry News.

Quincy Quarry post Quincy primary elections coverage and analysis.

Yesterday primary election for some local municipal offices was skipped by over 85% of local voters who did not bother to vote.

In spite of the thin turnout, the outcomes were generally in line with the pre-election prognostications of Quincy Quarry’s touts.

Money talks
A WEMU image

Rookie at Large City Councillor Noel DiBona was the top voter getter in the at Large City Councillor primary and as predicted by the Quarry.

Recently “retired” Department of Public Works Works Commissar and former longtime Ward 2 City Councillor Dan “Spanky” Raymondi finished second. 

The only anomaly here as far the Quincy Quarry touts were expecting is that Spanky’s massive campaign yard sign push citywide shortly before the election did not result in quite as close a primary vote total to that of DiBona as was variously felt to perhaps be possible.

Even so, both of the top finishers should be viewed the as odds on favorites come November to win two of the three at Large council seats despite the lack of much a record for the first place finisher and in spite of the considerable history of the second place finisher.

The Rock Island Road Rock Lobster looking to rocked?
A onetime Facebook avatar image

Next up, the current Number One Ward Heeler and now running at Large squeezed her way into a not even close third place finish as well as finished only modestly better than then the next two finishers, current School Committee Member Anne Mahoney and current at Large City Councillor Nina Liang.

Given that the Ward Heeler drew the always coveted first position on the ballot and thus a few extra votes, her margins over Ms Liang and Mrs. Mahoney are thus arguably minimal at best, if not illusionary.

Looking to the precinct level data, one sees further problem areas for the Ward Heeler come November. 

For one thing, she failed to have the most at Large primary votes in her home ward of Ward 1. 

While she did receive the most votes in her home precinct, this would appear to be assisted by a voter turnout almost three times the average percentage voter turnout for the rest of the local precinct and even then the second place finisher finished only eighteen votes behind the Ward Heeler.

Getting out the vote The Quincy Way!
A favorite file photo

This rare vote differential in favor of the Ward Heeler is likely the result of an especially vigorous get out the vote effort that is unlikely to tease much more come November’s general election in this precinct.

Also, as there was an open seat primary for the Ward 1 council seat, such surely also boosted voter turnout somewhat as compared to other wards but which – again – will likely moderate at least a bit on a relative basis come November’s general election.

Further, while the current Number One Ward Heeler did surprisingly better than expected in Ward 5 in spite of her long ongoing and head cheerleading support for just about every single major new residential development project in the city and most definitely all of those promoted by Mayor Koch, her finish was still not better than a virtual three-way for third.

Similarly, while she would appear to have been carried on the surely still suffering backs of Koch Machine members in Ward 6, the Ward Heeler still only managed to again pull off a no better than a virtual three-way finish for third.

More problematic yet, however, the Ward Heeler finished a sorry fifth in Wards 2 and 3 as well as an unimpressive as well as ironic fourth place finish in Ward 4.

Throw in the fact that Ms Liang and Mrs Mahoney both enjoyed generally consistent and more solid support citywide as well as each has her own unique voter blocks to count on in November’s General election than does the Ward Heeler, such further does not bode well for the heeler come November even if she again lucks out by again drawing the coveted as well as proven to be somewhat advantageous first placement on the ballot as well as also does not suffer any negative press or face any new scandals before the general election.

Will the nag run out of gas?
A stock photo

In short, one should thus expect a horse race among three females running at Large for the likely no better than third and final at Large council seat.

And finally, the sixth place finisher in the at Large primary election is expected to finish in the sixth position in the general election.

In the Ward 1 Councillor race, the number one vote getter in this open seat race was the candidate who was expected to do best in the primary election as well as by roughly the percentage margin expected.

The hardworking incumbents in Wards 2 and 4 are running unopposed and so too but inexplicably is the rookie incumbent in Ward 3.

Rough seas ahead for Ariel?
A Disney image

The several term ward councillor incumbent in Ward 5, however, did even less well than expected in what was the only surprise of primary election night for the Quincy Quarry political affairs desk. 

The only admitted Republican running for office in Quincy this fall, she only received 48% of votes cast and the rookie candidate runner up finished a close second. 

Further problematic for the Ward 5 incumbent is the strong likelihood that her challenger should be expected to secure most of the votes cast for the third place finisher and who is thus now out of the running.

And finally, the Ward 6 incumbent received 52% of the primary vote and consistent with the Quarry’s expectations. 

Barring a major gaff, the incumbent will likely pick up enough support from those who voted for the third place finisher in the primary to probably be able to fend off his challenger in November’s general election.

Oval Office, Oral Office – whatever
A White House birthday card

Then again, November’s general election is two months away and thus an eternity when it comes to campaigning for higher office.

As such, will there be gaffs by candidates on the stump, perhaps a sex scandal or maybe even voters finally figuring out who is genuine and who is but fast talking while also blowing smoke as well as overfilled empty pants suit.

In any event, expect Quincy Quarry to provide blow by blow coverage whenever it might catch someone blowing it.

]]>