With Mayor David Cohen’s announcement last week that he would not seek re-election, a handful of officials have begun pondering a run for his seat.
At least three individuals have voiced interest in the position, including Alderman Ken Parker, who is actively campaigning; Naval Intelligence Specialist Setti Warren, who is currently serving in Iraq; and Representative Ruth Balser, who has begun calling her colleagues to feel out support.
But some think it’s too soon to focus on a 2009 election.
“I think the coverage of the race is premature,” said Rob Gifford, co-chair of Move Newton Forward. “The focus for me and other Move Newton Forward representatives is on the override on May 20. I hope that is where everyone is focusing.”
Local pollster Gerry Chervinsky, who advised Cohen in former campaigns, agreed, saying that the timing was poor for candidates like Balser to step forward, but – taking the override out of the equation – it’s not too early to plan for the November 2009 race.
“It would have been nice for [potential candidates] to wait until after the override,” he said. “But it’s not really too early. There will be a bunch of people looking at this and they’ll have to move quickly.”
Within days of Cohen’s announcement, Balser was on the phone with supporters, getting a sense of the playing field and whether she’d want to throw in a bid for Newton’s top job along with Warren and Parker.
Balser said she was approached by many people prior to Cohen’s announcement, but wouldn’t consider a run against him.
“David Cohen and I have been colleagues and friends for many years,” she said. “I would not have run against him.”
But the field goes well beyond the three who have publicly entered the “exploratory phase.” Newton’s leaders have also mentioned Board president Lisle Baker, former alderman Jack Porter, Move Newton Forward co-chair Rob Gifford, former mayoral candidate Mike Striar and School Committee Vice President Marc Laredoas potential candidates.
Striar and Porter both said they are considering. Laredo and Gifford offered no comment. Baker was unavailable.
“There are a number of people who are likely to come out,” said President of the Newton Taxpayers Association Jeff Seideman. “But you might see a lot of trial balloons; people feeling around to see if they get a bite.”
Alderman Verne Vance noted that this will be the first time since 1971 that the mayor’s seat has been open.
“This is the first election that there is no incumbent or acting incumbent running,” he said. “It will make for an interesting and exciting race.”
Chrissie Long can be reached at clong@cnc.com.
