The Newton Election Commission, responsible for administering and enforcing election laws, has four members: two each from the Democratic and Republican parties, to promote bipartisanship. Current Commission members include Democrats Marjorie Ann Butler (Chair) and Nancy M. Levine, and Republicans Jan Huffman and John P. McDermott. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller has nominated Republican W. David Power to succeed Huffman, who has moved from Newton.
Vacancies on the Commission are filled by the City Council approving a nomination by the Mayor. Traditionally, Mayors have nominated one of a few candidates recommended by the City Committee of the political party associated with that seat. Those candidates are determined through party election, and this time the Newton Republican City Committee (NRCC) elected to recommend Tom Mountain, Valerie Pontiff, and Steven Snider.
However, instead of nominating one of those NRCC candidates, on December 9, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller nominated W. David Power, President and CEO of Perkins School for the Blind. If confirmed by the City Council, his term of office would last until March 31, 2029.
In response to the Mayor’s nomination, the Massachusetts Republican Party (MassGOP) released a statement asking “that the Newton City Council delay any confirmation of the current nominee and work with the Mayor’s office to consider candidates recommended by the NRCC.” While the practice of choosing from among candidates recommended by the party is not codified, MassGOP said that failing to uphold this standard contradicts the very purpose of a bipartisan Commission.
“Bypassing this tradition, as well as appointing an individual with no meaningful connection to the NRCC and a recent history of significant financial contributions to Democratic candidates, undermines this trust and the bipartisan intent of the Commission’s structure,” said Amy Carnevale, Chair of the MassGOP.
Newton’s Programs and Services Committee is scheduled to address the Mayor’s nomination of W. David Power in its January 8 meeting. If approved by Programs and Services, the nomination will go to the City Council for a vote, likely in its next meeting, on February 3.
Bella Ishanyan is a Fig City News student reporter, Massachusetts High School Journalist of the Year, and a freshman at UMass Amherst.
