Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Archive
EVERETT, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Tuesday is Election Day and voters in Everett are coming out to the polls to make their voices heard in what is seen as a heated race for mayor.
For a second time, 18-year incumbent Mayor Carlo Demaria is being challenged by City Councilor Robert Van Campen.
Protests and controversy have surrounded Demaria after an independent audit alleged that he accepted $180,000 in bonus payments that were hidden in separate accounts and processed outside the payroll system.
However, Demaria has denied the allegations and has been running his campaign off his accomplishments including construction of Encore Casino.
Developments such as these have some voters ready to throw their support behind Demaria when they enter the voting booth.
“There should be a spot [for Demaria], with all the development going on around here, how the city is rising up [from] where it was 20 years ago,” said one resident.
Meantime, the controversy surrounding the mayor’s salary has others backing Van Campen instead.
“When I was shown the actual differences and the overpayment and stuff like that, it made me very upset, so that’s a 100 percent a factor for me,” said Tobin.
Van Campen has been critical of his opponent running on the sentiment that it’s time for new leadership after nearly 2 decades of the city having the same mayor.
Whoever they might be voting for, citizens like Tobin stress the importance of residents staying informed on issues that are impacting Everett.
“Talk to your local small businesses because that was the only way I found out about the issues, just being a resident in the city I didn’t really know until I worked for a small business and had that connection with somebody that was really affected by what was going on, so I would say talk to those people so they know what’s going on,” they said.
The polls in Everett close at 8 P.M. and to find your polling place you can click here.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.