New Bedford narrows down mayoral and council races

Voters in New Bedford narrowed down packed preliminary elections for mayor and city council on Tuesday.

Incumbent Mayor Jon Mitchell faced five challengers his bid for reelection. Mitchell, who was first elected in 2011, and Tyson Moultrie were the top two vote-getters, beating out Michael Janson, Xavier Cardona, Nathan Almeida and Ryan Duarte, according to unofficial election results released by the city.

The top 10 vote-getters in a field of 12 that appeared on the ballot for councilor-at-large seat are moving on to the final election. Incumbents Linda Morad, Brian Gomes, Shane Burgo, Naomi Carney and Ian Abreu all are advancing, along with current Ward 5 councilor Scott Lima, Devin Byrnes, Bruce Wayne Duarte Jr. and Guelmie Santiago, according to the unofficial results.

Carmen Amaral came in 10th, but had posted on Facebook in September that she was withdrawing from the race. Her name still appeared on the ballot. The New Bedford Light reported that Manuel DeBrito, chair of the New Bedford Board of Election Commissioners, said Amaral had not officially withdrawn and unless she does so, her name will round out the field on the ballot in November.

In the race for the Ward 5 council seat that Lima is vacating, Joseph Lopes and Zachary Boyer are moving on to the final election, beating Ian Marcus Saunders and Carlos Maiato.

Preliminary season wraps up next week with elections in Agawam, Gardner and Marlborough on Oct. 10. A special state primary to fill the Worcester and Hampshire senate district seat is also taking place next Tuesday. Former state Sen. Anne Gobi left the seat after she was picked by Gov. Maura Healey as the state director of rural affairs, triggering the special election.