HOLYOKE — City voters elected their first Latino mayor in a wide margin that left a city councilor who has owned and operated two local businesses in second place.
Joshua Garcia, currently the town manager in Blandford and a former school committee member, beat Michael J. Sullivan 4,566-3,548 votes, Tuesday night.
Garcia will be the first Latino mayor to be elected in the city, where the Hispanic population rose to 53.9% of all residents in the 2020 census. Multiple Hispanic residents have served on the school committee and city council over the past decade.
While Garcia said Holyoke has come a long way when electing a Puerto Rican mayor, he also said his win was more about using good management and governance to rebuild the city.
“When we talk about the issues in our community that are impacting the quality of life, from the condition of our streets and sidewalks to the condition of our public buildings to schools being in receivership and concerns around public safety, each of those problems are management,” he said.
He also pledged to focus on all the neighborhoods from West Holyoke and South Holyoke to Churchill and the Flats.
“I just know my administration is going to be focused on bridging gaps in our neighborhoods, so that we can be sure we are building our community together,” he said.
Michael A. McCabe, retired police captain, is congratulated by supporters as he prepares to deliver a celebratory speech after defeating incumbent Mayor Donald Humason Jr. (Frederick Gore photo)
Holyoke Mayor-elect Joshua Garcia is all smiles at his campaign party. He is with his son Ethan. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle campaigns outside Easthampton High School Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Mike Sullivan delivers his concession speech to his supporters at his Open Square headquarters. Joshua Garcia won the race for Holyoke Mayor. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Supporters of Holyoke Mayor-elect Joshua Garcia react to news of his win. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Holyoke Mayor-elect Joshua Garcia enters his campaign party after getting a concession phone call from candidate Mike Sullivan. He is holding the hand of his son Ethan. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Gina-Louise Sciarra is surrounded by her daughters Alazne Scher, 12, Simone Scher, 9, and her husband Bill Scher at Spoleto Restaurant on Tuesday night, Nov. 2, 2021. Sciarra will be sworn in as the next mayor of Northampton in January. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Michael A. McCabe, retired police captain, is congratulated by supporters as he prepares to deliver a celebratory speech after defeating incumbent Westfield Mayor Donald Humason Jr. (Frederick Gore photo)
Agawam Mayor William P. Sapelli, is congratulated by his longtime friend Deborah Zwicker at a victory celebration last night at the Italian Sporting Club. Sapelli was challenged by Charlie Alvanos. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Easthampton residents vote at Easthampton High School on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Holyoke mayoral candidate Joshua Garcia greets voters near the Morgan Elementary School Tuesday evening. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Easthampton at-large city councilor candidate Koni Denham, left, and mayor Nicole LaChapelle, right, campaign outside Easthampton High School Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 2nd, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
People campaign outside the Knights of Columbus Castle in Chicopee. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Easthampton mayor Nicole LaChapelle, left, campaigns outside Easthampton High School with her mother Donna O’Connor, center, and her daughter Sigrid Wendel, right, on Tuesday Nov. 2, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Candidates and supporters wave to passing cars at the Springfield Boys and Girls Club polling place in Springfield. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Easthampton residents vote at Easthampton High School on Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Chicopee City Councilors Frank Laflamme (right) and George Balakier (center), campaign outside the Chicopee Senior Center Tuesday afternoon. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Supporters of Holyoke Mayor-elect Joshua Garcia cheer for him during his victory speech. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Easthampton residents vote at Easthampton High School on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Supporters of Holyoke Mayor-elect Joshua Garcia cheer for him during his victory speech. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Easthampton at-large city councilor candidate Koni Denham, left, and mayor Nicole LaChapelle, right, speak with supporters outside Easthampton High School Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Holyoke ward 1 City Councilor Gladys Lebron-Martinez reacts during the victory speech of Holyoke Mayor-Elect Joshua Garcia. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Holyoke School Committee candidate Eleanor Wilson campaigns at the EN White School. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Holyoke Mayor-elect Joshua Garcia enters his campaign party after getting a concession phone call from candidate Mike Sullivan. His family is on the right. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Holyoke Mayor-elect Joshua Garcia is all smiles at during his victory speech. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
A voter heads in to cast her ballot at the Springfield Boys and Girls Club on Carew Street. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
People campaign at the EN White School in Holyoke Tuesday evening. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Supporters cheer for new Northampton mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra at Spoleto Restaurant on Tuesday night, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Volunteer Jen Robson, left, and Easthampton precinct 2 city councilor Homar Gomez, right, campaign outside Easthampton High School Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Holyoke mayoral candidate Joshua Garcia greets voters near the Morgan Elementary School Tuesday evening. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Holyoke candidates Mark Chatel (city council) and Colleen Chesmore (school committee), greet voters at the EN White School. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Gina-Louise Sciarra celebrates her victory with families and supporters at Spoleto Restaurant on Tuesday night, Nov. 2, 2021. Sciarra will be sworn in as the next mayor of Northampton in January. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Chicopee Councilor James Tillotson (seated) and Assessor Brian Suchy (next to Tillotson) campaign at the Bellamy School polling place. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Northampton mayoral candidate Marc Warner arrives at city hall to check the results on Tuesday night, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Candidate Mike Sullivan greets a supporter at his Open Square headquarters. Joshua Garcia won the race for Holyoke Mayor. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 11/2/2021
Northampton mayoral candidate Gina-Louise Sciarra, left, checks the results at city hall with Michael Cahillane, trustee chairperson at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Tuesday night, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Northampton mayoral candidate Marc Warner talks to his supporters at city hall Tuesday night, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Northampton mayoral candidate Gina-Louise Sciarra awaits for the results at city with her daughters Simone Scher, 9, and Alazne Scher, 12, on Tuesday night, Nov. 2, 2021. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Gina-Louise Sciarra gives thanks to her supporters at Spoleto Restaurant on Tuesday night, Nov. 2, 2021. Sciarra will be sworn in as the next mayor of Northampton in January. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)
Annissa Essaibi George addresses supporters on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 as she concedes in the Boston mayoral race.
Annissa Essaibi George addresses supporters on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 as she concedes in the Boston mayoral race.
Annissa Essaibi George addresses supporters on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 as she concedes in the Boston mayoral race.
Michael A. McCabe, retired police captain, is congratulated by supporters as he prepares to deliver a celebratory speech after defeating incumbent mayor Donald Humason Jr. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Agawam Mayor William P. Sapelli, is congratulated by his supporters at a victory celebration last night at the Italian Sporting Club. Sapelli was challenged by Charlie Alvanos. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Edward and Regina Ekmalian join Westfield Mayor Donald Humason Jr. at the East Mountain Country Club as the votes are tallied. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Supporters for Westfield Mayor Donald Humason Jr., monitor the mayoral race results at a watch party at East Mountain Country Club. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Michael A. McCabe, retired police captain, is congratulated by supporters as he prepares to deliver a celebratory speech after defeating incumbent mayor Donald Humason Jr. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Supporters for Westfield Mayor Donald Humason Jr., monitor the mayoral race results at a watch party at East Mountain Country Club. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Agawam Mayor William P. Sapelli joins his son Michael, daughter Laura, and granddaughter Savannah, 9, at a victory celebration at the Italian Sporting Club. Sapelli was challenged by Charlie Alvanos. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Supporters for Agawam Mayor William P. Sapelli use their cell phones to photograph the tally board at a party for Sapelli at the Italian Sporting Club. Sapelli was challenged by Charlie Alvanos. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Agawam Mayor William P. Sapelli, is congratulated by longtime friend Gary Winn at a victory celebration last night at the Italian Sporting Club. Sapelli was challenged by Charlie Alvanos. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Agawam Mayor William P. Sapelli, is congratulated by his longtime friend Deborah Zwicker at a victory celebration last night at the Italian Sporting Club. Sapelli was challenged by Charlie Alvanos. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Agawam Mayor William P. Sapelli, is congratulated by longtime friend Luigi Chiarella at a victory celebration last night at the Italian Sporting Club. Sapelli was challenged by Charlie Alvanos. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Westfield Mayor Donald Humason Jr., chats with his mom Janice Tracey and his son Quinn, 10, at a watch party at East Mountain Country Club. Humason lost his seat to retired police captain Michael McCabe. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Paulette and Dennis Hall joined the celebration party for retired police captain Michael A. McCabe who defeated incumbent Westfield Mayor Donald Humason Jr. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Michael A. McCabe, retired police captain, is congratulated by supporters as he prepares to deliver a celebratory speech after defeating incumbent mayor Donald Humason Jr. (Frederick Gore Photo)
Michelle Wu speaks to reporters after declaring victory in the Boston mayoral race on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.
Michelle Wu speaks to reporters after declaring victory in the Boston mayoral race on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.
Michelle Wu speaks to reporters after declaring victory in the Boston mayoral race on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.
Sullivan conceded the election about 10 minutes after the polls closed. While he did not have the final totals at the time, he said lost. Garcia received about 56% of the vote.
He called his campaign workers a “tremendous group” and pointed to the diversity of his workers, which he said is representative of Holyoke, now and when he was growing up.
Sullivan said he was still proud of the campaign he ran, which lasted more than a year.
“By Holyoke standards this was a clean race, not a lot of mud-slinging, and we are ready to come together as a community,” Sullivan said.
Slightly over 30% of the city’s 27,354 registered voters cast ballots in the election. “The election went smoothly but the turnout was disappointing,” said City Clerk Brenna McGee.
McGee, who ran opposed for reelection, was the highest vote-getter in the city with 6,071 ballots. She said this is the most diverse council she has seen since she was first elected to the City Council more than a dozen years ago.
In the City Council at large race, where 11 candidates were running for six seats, there were some upsets. Long-term Councilors James Leahy, who received 2,972 votes, and Howard Greaney, who received 2,895 ballots, came in seventh and eighth and both lost their seats. Kevin Jourdain, who had served as City Council president previously but has been off the board for four years after deciding not to run for reelection in 2017, not only captured a seat but was the highest vote-getter among the at-large candidates with 3,534 votes.
“I am absolutely thrilled with the results. I am so thankful to the people of Holyoke for allowing me the privilege to serve them again,” Jourdain said. “Now it is time for us all to come together and get to work.”
Voters returned at-large incumbents Peter Tallman with 3,503 votes and Joseph McGivern with 3,267 votes.
The decision by Sullivan and Councilor Rebecca Lisi to run for mayor also left several at-large open seats. Newcomers Israel Rivera, with 3,513 votes was the second highest vote-getter in the field. Tessa Murphy-Romboletti and Jose Luis Maldonado Velez were also elected with 3,233 and 3,172 votes respectively.
“I am excited, surprised, elated and amazed. I didn’t think I was going to win,” Rivera said. “My idea is to give a voice to people who feel they are not heard.”
The other at-large candidates who were not reelected are Jennifer M. Keitt, who received 2,353 ballots, Paola Ferrario, with 2,151 and Mark D. Chatel who received 1,350 votes.
In Ward 1 Jenny Rivera bested Victor M. Machado 398-186 in Ward 1. Both candidates are newcomers since long-term incumbent Gladys Lebron-Martinez decided not to run for re-election.
In Ward 3 incumbent David Bartley beat Anne N. Thalheimer 766-584. The race was a rematch with Thalheimer previously unsuccessfully trying to unseat the long-term incumbent.
“I’ll continue to work hard on behalf of Ward 3 voters and the city,” Bartley said, adding he is grateful to the voters saying he never expected to serve 12 years on the City Council.
In Ward 4 Kocayne S. Givner beat Michael Thomas Siciliano 341-301. Both are newcomers since Libby Hernandez decided not to run again.
In Ward 5 incumbent Linda Vacon closely fended off a challenge from Guy O’Donnell 852-833. O’Donnell said because the race was so close he will consider asking for a recount.
In Ward 6, incumbent Juan Anderson-Burgos beat Preston Macy 797-272.
On the School Committee there were only three contested races. Irene Feliciano-Sims beat Faizul Sibdhanny Jr. 445-144 in Ward 4; Eleanor M. Wilson beat Colleen Chesmore 1,035-725 in Ward 7 and Mildred Lefebvre bested Marc Hickey 4,170-2,474 for the at-large seat.
City Council candidates who ran unopposed were Will Puello in Ward 2 and Todd McGee, who is the City Council president, in Ward 7.
School Committee members who were unopposed were Rosalee Tensley Williams in Ward 2; Rebecca Birks in Ward 3; John Whelihan in Ward 4 and William Collamore in Ward 6. There were no candidates on the ballot in Ward 1.
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