The most interesting election showdown in Peabody is the one that didn’t happen: a mayoral bid by City Councilor at Large Anne M. Manning-Martin aimed at unseating Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr.
Well-versed in running the type of city-wide campaign required to beat a veteran mayor, Manning-Martin is instead seeking an eighth term on the council that she is almost guaranteed to win.
Manning-Martin has the highest profile of any candidate in this year’s municipal election by virtue of Gov. Charlie Baker’s appearance at her Oct. 12 fundraiser at Gallo Nero. Baker reminded those in attendance that Manning-Martin “lives and breathes the city.” As the state’s top Republican, his presence in Peabody sent a strong signal about Manning-Martin’s political viability not only as a city candidate, but as a fellow Republican who might stride onto a bigger political stage in the future.
What makes Manning-Martin a strong mayoral contender? Hers was the loudest voice calling for improved public access to city Zoom meetings when the pandemic closed City Hall and limited council and city board and committee attendance to online meetings.
Hers is also the loudest local voice on ensuring residents have a say in how the city sets conditions on major developments proposed for Peabody, including the controversial plans for the former J.B. Thomas Hospital.
Manning-Martin isn’t running for mayor this year and Bettencourt is uncontested on the Nov. 2 ballot, but her voice will surely be heard during the next two years as Bettencourt rolls out new initiatives for Peabody.
As for races voters will determine, in the Councilor-at-Large contest, Manning-Martin along with incumbents Thomas L. Gould, Thomas J. Rossignoll, Ryan Melville and Jon Turco are easy shoo-ins for reelection with Bukia Chalvire having an outsider’s chance at getting elected.
Ward 1 Councilor Craig S. Welton is running unopposed and Ward 2 Councilor Peter M. McGinn is likely to win reelection against relative political unknown Karen-Marie Cohen.
But Wards 3, 4 and 5 are battlegrounds in Peabody with Stephanie R. Peach’s active campaign suggesting her prospects for unseating incumbent James Moutsoulas are good in Ward 3.
Former Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce Director Julie K. Daigle has taken solid aim at beating incumbent Ward 4 Councilor Edward R. Charest, and, in Ward 5, former Councilor David R. Gamache hopes to beat incumbent Joel D. Saslaw.
Ward 6 Councilor Mark J. O’Neill is running unopposed and School Committee candidates Beverley A. Griffin Dunne, Jon P. Swanson and Jarrod M. Hochman are guaranteed Nov. 2 wins.
Remember to vote.