Newburyport Mayoral race is heating up. Incumbent may face a six-way preliminary

[Ian David]

By John Laidler, Globe Correspondent | July 26, 2007

Two years after John Moak bested five others to win the mayor's seat in Newburyport, another crowded field is revving up for the fall.

Six candidates, including Moak, had taken out nomination papers as of early this week. With pending deadlines of tomorrow for taking out papers and Tuesday for returning them, the stage is set for a possible six-way match in the Sept. 18 preliminary election. The field will be pared to two for the Nov. 6 final election.

The dynamics of this year's race are different because, unlike 2005, there is an incumbent in the mix. But the competition is expected to be no less spirited.

"I would think it's going to get a lot of attention," said City Council president Thomas F. O'Brien, who has said he is neutral in the race. "Having six people running for mayor with the mayor running is unusual, I think."

Most of the contenders are well known in the city, O'Brien noted. "They've all got a lot of support, so it's going to be interesting," said O'Brien, who predicted Moak would top the ticket in the preliminary, with a "dog fight" for the number-two spot.


Newburyport Mayor John Moak won his post two years ago against five rivals, and may face the same challenge this fall. (Mark Wilson/GLOBE STAFF/FILE)

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