Springfield, a city in Massachusetts, is gearing up for its mayoral election, which promises to be an intense battle between the longtime incumbent, Mayor Domenic Sarno, and his change-seeking challenger, city councilor Justin Hurst. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, and both candidates are vying for the opportunity to steer the city’s future in their preferred direction.
Hurst, who served as the city council president, finished as the runner-up in the preliminary election held in September. Although he trailed behind Sarno, the fact that the incumbent fell short of the 50% mark means there is still potential room for change. Hurst feels that after his ten-year tenure on the city council, the time has come for him to take the leap into mayoral leadership.
Sarno, on the other hand, is leveraging his experience and accomplishments during his 16-year mayoral tenure. He believes his proven track record speaks for itself, and while acknowledging the progress made under his administration, he emphasizes that there is more work to be done. However, it is worth noting that Sarno’s campaign has declined interview requests for this story.
Recently, the election took an unexpected turn when The Republican newspaper reported video footage allegedly showing a person associated with Hurst’s campaign distributing cash to individuals outside City Hall during early voting. These allegations have resulted in calls for a criminal investigation by Springfield officials, citing voter fraud. Hurst denied the accusations, labeling them as a political smear job orchestrated by his opponent.
One of the key issues in this mayoral race is the distribution of funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, amounting to over $120 million. Hurst argues that the process involved conflicts of interest and unequal distribution, leaving certain individuals and entities overlooked. He goes so far as to allege misappropriation and vows to launch an investigation into the use of these funds if elected. In contrast, Sarno is proud of the fair process and highlights that a significant portion of the funds, 88%, has gone to minority or woman-owned businesses, benefiting various sectors of the community.
Crime and policing have also been contentious topics in Springfield. The city has experienced a surge in homicides this year, reaching a more-than-20-year high. The police department remains under a consent decree with the federal Department of Justice, seeking reforms. There has been ongoing tension between the city council, including Hurst, and the mayor regarding oversight of the police. In fact, the councilors successfully sued Sarno, forcing him to follow an ordinance requiring the reestablishment of a civilian Police Commission. Hurst believes the current police commissioners are indebted to the mayor since he solely appointed them, limiting their effectiveness. He proposes a committee review of applications for the role, along with expanded powers for the commission.
Education is another crucial issue in the election. Sarno takes pride in the investments his administration has made in improving schools and infrastructure. Highlighting his accomplishments, he points out that graduation rates rose from 50% to nearly 86% under his leadership. However, Hurst argues that school success should be measured beyond statistics, considering how students fare in comparison to other municipalities. State data shows that three of Springfield’s largest public high schools require assistance or intervention due to low performance on standardized testing.
As the candidates prepare for the general election, both have received support from their families throughout the intense campaign period. Hurst’s family has been actively involved, creating signs and knocking on doors to spread his message. He emphasizes that his drive to become mayor stems from a desire to improve the lives of his two young sons and all the children in Springfield. Sarno’s family has also shown unwavering support, often accompanying him to public and campaign events.
This election cycle poses one of the toughest challenges Mayor Sarno has faced during his tenure, prompting him to spend around half a million dollars from his campaign account, significantly more than Hurst. The general election is set to take place on Tuesday, and voters will have the opportunity to decide between the incumbent’s experience and the challenger’s vision for change. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., marking the end of months of campaigning for both candidates.
