SALEM — Mayor Kim Driscoll cruised to victory last night and all incumbent city council candidates were re-elected in an otherwise quiet citywide election yesterday.
Driscoll captured more than 80 percent of the vote, though she was facing off against a challenger considered a long shot by many because of a previous arrest for locking a man in a portable toilet and tipping it over.
All four councilor-at-large incumbents were also re-elected. Joan Lovely topped the ticket, followed by Arthur Sargent, Tom Furey and Steve Pinto. Activist and frequent Driscoll critic Teasie Riley-Goggin finished fifth, some 497 votes behind Pinto.
In Ward 5, attorney John Ronan trounced real estate auctioneer Jerry Tache, 556-271. Ward 3 Councilor Jean Pelletier was also re-elected, defeating Neil Yetts, 514-272.
At a victory party at the Hawthorne Hotel, Driscoll was congratulated by a room full of guests, including state Rep. John Keenan, former Police Chief Robert St. Pierre and several department heads.
In many ways, it was a far different atmosphere from the night four years ago when Driscoll's victory surprised political observers and the mom of three became Salem's first female mayor. This time around, few doubted Driscoll would be re-elected; the question was how large the margin of victory would be.
"I'm no different than I was four years ago when many people didn't know who we were and it was a big upset victory," said Driscoll. "I still approach the job the same way. I really feel I'm a steward of the office of mayor and it's my job to leave the city better than how I found it."
Driscoll picked up 4,288 votes; Ken Sawicki received 729. Voter turnout was about 27 percent — slightly lower than the 30 percent that turned out for city elections two years ago and far less than the turnout during a much more heavily contested mayoral race in 2005.
"We're very happy with the support and grateful for the last four years and looking forward to the next four with the same commitment and passion," said Driscoll. "I think the city is in a better place than it was four years ago, but I'm as energetic and passionate as ever about the job. We've done a lot, but there's still certainly a lot to do."
Councilor-at-large Tom Furey watched with a smile on his face as the votes trickled in at City Hall last night, capping what he called "the hardest election in my 26 years."
Many observers — even Furey himself — saw the councilor-at-large race as a battle between Furey and Riley-Goggin. In the end, Furey finished third.
"I think Teasie Riley-Goggin ran a very effective and exciting campaign," said Furey. "She was very busy. But I'm happy, I'm honored and I'm humbled with the results."
Furey, who referred to himself as a "doubting Thomas," even crafted a concession speech where he quoted Ecclesiastes. But he also had a victory speech ready, as well. He credited his vigilant attendance at a variety of city events as a major reason for his re-election.
"I've tried to be visible and vocal from day one, not just during election season," said Furey. "I go to games, sports, activities, plays and functions. I'm very visible 365 days a year."
Meanwhile, in the city's quietest contested race, Pelletier also won by a comfortable margin.
"I'm looking forward to finishing a few of my projects ... and getting better programs started so I can better serve my constituents," said Pelletier.
Voter turnout was slow, but picked up as the day went on.
Driscoll had her supporters outside polling locations holding signs and waving to voters.
Among them was Evelyn Oquendo, a teacher at the Collins Middle School who was Driscoll's old roommate at Salem State College. Oquendo stood outside Pioneer Terrace with a Driscoll sign greeting cars as they entered the polls.
"Trust me, you always knew she'd be in some political office," said Oquendo.
Oquendo was on the women's basketball team at Salem State, graduated a year before Driscoll joined the team, but spent that summer in between shooting hoops with the soon-to-be-mayor.
"She's never beaten me on one-on-one," said Oquendo. "But she's got a bigger job title than I do now."
Meanwhile, Driscoll credited much of the success of the last four years to working together with city officials.
"We have a good relationship with the City Council, the School Committee and our state delegation," said Driscoll. "We're less concerned with egos and credit and much more concerned about just getting things done."
Staff writer Chris Cassidy can be reached at ccassidy@salem news.com.
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