WCAC

A preliminary election on September 12 will narrow down the fields in three races (mayor, councilor at large and Ward 3) heading into the municipal election on November 7.

You can watch a TV special with the preliminary election candidates on the Waltham Channel starting Wednesday night or stream it online [see links below].

We invited all the candidates in the fall election into our studio to tape 5-minute statements for broadcast on the Waltham Channel this fall. 

Many, but not all, the preliminary candidates took us up on our offer. 

To learn more about them, tune in to the “You Don’t Say Election 2023 Preliminary Candidates” special on the Waltham Channel (Verizon Ch. 47, Comcast Ch. 8, RCN Ch. 3) at the following times:

Wednesday, August 30 at 8:00 p.m. 

Saturday, September 2 at 8:00 p.m.

Monday, September 4 at 8:00 p.m.

 

Mayor

In the race to be Waltham’s mayor, longtime incumbent Jeannette McCarthy is facing Jonathan Paz, the Ward 9 city councilor since 2020. 

 

A third candidate, Duane Champagne, pulled out of the race, but because he missed the deadline to withdraw, he will still be on the ballot on September 12.

You Don’t Say Election 2023 Preliminary Candidates: Mayor

City Councilor At Large

At-large city councilors represent the whole city. This fall there are 13 candidates up for six seats, including all six incumbents. 

One will be eliminated in the preliminary election, leaving a slate of 12.

You Don’t Say Election 2023 Preliminary Candidates: City Councilor at Large

Ward 3

The third preliminary election race involves Ward 3 in North Waltham, where longtime councilor George Darcy has decided to seek a different seat this fall.

Two returning candidates are running again: veteran Waltham police officer Paul Tracey and health care administrator and Waltham Board of Health member Bill Hanley. 

 

The third candidate is artist and environmental educator Barbara Ayala Rugg Diehl, a first time candidate.

One of the three Ward 3 candidates will be eliminated in the preliminary election, leaving a field of two.

You Don’t Say Election 2023 Preliminary Candidates: Ward 3

Vote

Note that only Ward 3 voters can vote in the Ward 3 preliminary race, but voters across the city can vote in both the mayoral and at-large races. 

Registered voters can cast preliminary election ballots in person on Tuesday, September 12 or vote early in person at the following place and time: 

Contact the Waltham City Clerk with questions.

File photos