MELROSE — The political landscape continues to change as the deadline to take out nomination papers for the November 4 city election closes in.
Over the last two weeks, more residents came forward to run for School Committee and others jumped into the void created by longtime Ward 4 City Councilor Mark Garipay’s announcement that he would not seek reelection this fall.
Incumbent School Committee member Jennifer Razi-Thomas of Walton Park took out nomination papers on Monday, August 25 for reelection to a four-year term. On Friday, August 29, Bellevue Avenue’s Camarie E. Clark took out papers for election to one of the three School Committee seats up for election November 4.
Razi-Thomas and Clark join incumbent Dorie Withey as well as already-declared candidates Sheri Leo and Melissa Holleran in the race for School Committee.
In Ward 4, where Councilor Mark Garipay said he would not seek a fourth term, interest in the position ran high.
On Thursday, August 28 current Councilor-at-Large Ward Hamilton of East Emerson Street pulled papers to run for the Ward 4 seat. Originally, Hamilton had taken out nomination papers for reelection as an at-large councilor.
On Tuesday, September 2, Philip Gindi of Larchmont Road took out nomination papers for the Ward 4 City Council spot, and the next day Apple Hill Road’s William Bradley Freeman did the same.
Candidates have until Friday, September 12 to take out nomination papers in the Election Office at City Hall for the November 4 election.
As of late Wednesday morning, this is what the 2025 city election field looks like so far:
COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE
Ryan Williams (incumbent), Maya Jamaleddine (incumbent), Jason Chen, Dionysios Kaskarelis
COUNCILOR WARD 1
Manjula Karamcheti (incumbent)
COUNCILOR WARD 2
Jeffrey C. McNaught
COUNCILOR WARD 3
Robert Stewart (incumbent), Christopher Park
COUNCILOR WARD 4
Ward Hamilton, Philip Gindi, William Bradley Freeman
COUNCILOR WARD 5
Kim Vandiver (incumbent)
COUNCILOR WARD 6
Cal Finocchiaro (incumbent)
COUNCILOR WARD 7
Alex Rodriquez, Devin Romanul (incumbent)
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Dorie Withey (incumbent), Sheri Leo, Melissa Holleran, Jennifer G. Razi-Thomas (incumbent), Camarie E. Clark
For those pondering an election run, there is about a week to make a decision. The final day to obtain nomination papers is Friday, Sept. 12 at 12:30 p.m.
The last day and hour to submit nomination papers to the Registrars of Voters for signature certification is Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 5 p.m.
On Wednesday, Oct. 1 the list of candidates will be posted at 4 p.m. The next day, at 5 p.m., will be the last chance to object or withdraw from the election.
The important drawing for ballot position takes place on Friday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m.
The last day to register to vote in the November election will be Saturday, Oct. 25. The same day is the first day of Early Voting, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot (absentee or early) for the November election will be Wednesday, Oct. 29. The last day to vote early is Friday, Oct. 31.
Monday, Nov. 3 at noon is the last day and time to apply for in-person absentee ballots.
The election will take place at the Veterans Memorial Middle School gym from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In addition to choosing elected officials this fall, voters will be facing three questions concerning an override of Proposition 2 1/2.