Framingham Special Election Guide: Steiner Vs. Feeney, Part 2

Framingham MA

21 December, 2021

11:14 AM

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FRAMINGHAM, MA — Election Day is great because it's finite. After the numbers roll in, you can either begin mourning your candidate or start celebrating. That wasn't the case in Framingham this year. The city made statewide news after a recount in the ultra-close District 3 City Council race between incumbent Adam Steiner and Mary Kate Feeney ended in a tie — an outcome so rare the City Charter doesn't have an exact remedy for it. What followed was a rollercoaster of procedure. Feeney asked the City Council to set a special election. They narrowly agreed, voting 5-4 to set the rematch between Christmas and New Year's. Steiner went to Middlesex County Superior Court, arguing that the new ballots counted for Feeney during the recount were a mistake. The judge agreed with Steiner and threw out those two ballots, which had tiny marks next to Feeney's name and ovals filled out completely for other candidates (see images of the ballots here). But an attorney representing Feeney was able to convince a judge to set a new election citing two "irregularities" during the Nov. 2 election. That brings us to today, three weeks out from the Jan. 11 special election. Here's what you need to know — whether you're a D3 resident or an interested onlooker: Voter registration deadline This is first because it's the most important: the deadline to register to vote in the Jan. 11 special election is Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. That's Wednesday (if you're reading this on Thursday, it's too late). You can register to vote online and/or check if you're registered on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website. Who's on the ballot Steiner and Feeney, that's it. Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Christopher Barry-Smith barred other candidates from entering the election, per the request of City Solicitor Chris Petrini. Where, when to vote Polls will be open on Jan. 11 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The only polling is the Brophy School, 575 Pleasant St. Barry-Smith has also allowed mail-in rules used in the Nov. 2 election to remain in place (those rules expired at the state level on Dec. 15). You can apply for a mail-in ballot here. HOWEVER: if you voted by mail in the Nov. 2 election, the City Clerk will automatically send you a mail-in ballot. There is no early voting in the special election. Candidate forums The League of Women Voters of Framingham (LWV) will hold a candidate forum on Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. The league had not released other details as of Tuesday. The LWV also hosted a forum between Feeney and Steiner in October, which you can view here. Who are these candidates? You can read about each candidate in their previous Patch questionnaires. Click here for Adam Steiner, and here for Mary Kate Feeney. Feeney, 39, owns the advertising and marketing firm Dockside Media, and previously worked for former governor Deval Patrick and the state tourism office. This is her second run for office after she ran in 2018 in the Democratic primary to replace state representative Chris Wash. She placed third in a four-way write-in campaign. Steiner, 48, was first elected to Council in 2017, has been in charge of the powerful Finance Subcommittee over the past two years. He has also been the Council vice chair during that same time. He works as the director of technology for Maynard Public Schools. As the Nov. 2 election results showed, Steiner and Feeney had pretty even support from District 3 residents, with just two votes separating them. Both are well-known in local politics and are members of the Framingham Democratic Committee, and both advocate for things like rail trails, open space and reducing traffic. Who's backing them? Although Steiner and Feeney appear to share some political positions, they also represent different parts of Framingham's factious political scene. Feeney has received campaign donations from a clutch of City Councilors who were among outgoing Mayor Yvonne Spicer's biggest critics, and who often vote together: District 8 Councilor John Stefanini and his wife gave $350 total, and also donated to Feeney during the 2018 state House primary. Stefanini also volunteered for Feeney during the recount.District 4 Councilor Michael Cannon has donated $1,000 to Feeney so far in 2021, plus $250 for the 2018 state House primary.At-Large Council Janet Leombruno and her husband have given $550 so far in 2021. Council Chair George King Jr. has given $100School Committee members Scott Wadland and Ricky Finlay also donated, as did incoming School Committee member Jennifer Moshe. Steiner received support from Councilors who often sided with Spicer, although he endorsed mayor-elect Charlie Sisitsky. He also got donations from state Reps. Maria Robinson and Jack Lewis, who were two of Sisitksy's biggest backers. Because he works for a school district, Steiner has a tougher road getting donations (state ethics rules prohibit public employees from directly asking for contributions), but has a fair share of local elected officials backing his campaign: State Rep. Maria Robinson's political committee has donated $100.State. Rep. Jack Lewis' political committee also donated $100, and has explicitly endorsed Steiner. Outgoing District 5 Councilor Robert Case gave $50. District 2 Councilor Cesar Stewart-Morales gave $25. Outgoing Councilor Margareth Shepard's political committee has given $18.09 and an explicit endorsement. Want to write a letter of support? Patch accepts letters to the editor supporting political candidates. For the District 3 race, the deadline to submit a letter is Jan. 4. Letters should be emailed to [email protected], and should be kept to about 200 words.