History times 2 in Brockton election

The Brockton Post

BROCKTON--When newly elected Mayor Linda Balzotti was a little girl, her mother Betty said she never thought either one of her daughters would ever run for any elected seat, never mind winning the mayor's race for the state's sixth largest city.

"I always thought it was a man's job," said Betty Balzotti Tuesday night at the Maui restaurant where Linda Balzotti--moving through a crowd to Tina Turner's hit, "Simply the Best," -was cheered, hugged and applauded for becoming Brockton's first female mayor.

"I'm really proud of her and she's really going to help the people," she said.

Tuesday night Balzotti became the first woman in the city to win the mayor's office, topping two-term incumbent Mayor James Harrington.

Balzotti captured 7,330 votes, or 56.5 percent to Harrington's 5,600, or 43 percent. Election Commisioner John McGeary said 28 percent of Brockton's registered voters went to the polls. He said there were a handful of problems with the voting machines, mostly in Ward 6, precinct C, however none of the ballots would make a difference in any of the races.

In her acceptance speech, Balzotti thanked all of her supporters for their time away from family and hosting pancacke breakfasts, fundraisers and even a rolling-rally of cars filled with supporters Sunday through the streets of Brockton led by a large mobile home covered in stickers that read "Linda-Balzotti for Mayor."

"Who ever thought a little kid growing up in a ranch house on a 5,500 square-foot lot, with no political dynasty behind her, just through hard work became the Mayor of the City of Brockton," Balzotti told the hundreds who squeezed between tables and chairs to hear her victory speech.

Balzotti is not the first woman to run for mayor. Martha Crowell and Gail Kelly ran for mayor but did not win.
Balzotti's election was not the only history making tally Tuesday night, Jass Stewart, who fell short by 700 votes in a bid to unseat Harrington two years ago--became the city's first African-American to win a seat on the city council, placing fourth out of eight candidates.

Stewart, 38, with his partner Denzil Paul, were surrounded by supporters at Progressions Lounge, before moving to Maui restaurant to congratulate Balzotti.

While at Maui Stewart said he is not waiting until Jan. 4 when incumbents and the newly elected candidates are officially sworn in.

"I'm really excited to get to work," Stewart said.

Stewart, a native of Texas, who also won is first elected office, said he ran for mayor twice against Harrington because he felt there was a disconnect between city hall and residents--a problem that he believes he can fix.

"I'll bring persistence, energy, and new ideas," Stewart said.

During the campaign, Balzotti said she ran a clean race and felt that made a difference with people. She would not say who her chief of staff would be and said she would work on her tranisition team after she and volunteers get some sleep.

"It's overwhelming," Balzotti said, taking a deep breath during a brief pause between hugging and taking pictures with family, friends and supporters.

One of her supporters, Jan Brasil, said Harrington's tenure has been marked by a spirit of closed doors and hometown connections.

"We needed a change and Linda brings that change," Brasil said. "We're tired of the old boys network--literally and figuratively," Brasil said.

Many supporters said Balzotti's main points during stump speeches and one-on-one debates with Harrington showed Balzotti is willing to talk about controversial agencies the 21st Century Corporation and Building a Better Brockton and the possible conflicts of some of the members who sit on both boards.

Many also said Balzotti taking Harrington's spot on the school committee will bring a positive change to the seat, especially after this year's search for a superintendent when Harrington did not vote and the job went to an out of towner instead of one of two homegrown candidates.

"Transparency and openess. That's what Linda will bring." Brasil said.