Mayoral Election Could Be Rematch

Mayor Kevin Dumas could have a familiar opponent as he attempts to win a sixth term in office. Former Fire Chief Ronald Churchill, who lost to Dumas in the 2011 mayoral election, has pulled papers for this year's mayoral contest. He also pulled papers for the at-large city council contest.

Dumas defeated Churchill in 2011 with 59 percent of the vote. Churchill, who retired the previous year after 26 years as fire chief, had been considered a worthy opponent by many people and Dumas' landslide win took some observers by surprise.

Churchill's wife Natalie told Attleboro Patch Wednesday afternoon her husband was recovering from surgery and could not answer questions. 

Dumas did not directly respond about his possible opponent when questioned via email. He replied, "I look forward to this election season and having the opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of my administration as well as my vision for the continued success of Attleboro."

Churchill would have to determine whether he wanted to run for mayor or council. Four of the five sitting at-large council members (Jay DiLisio, Richard Conti, Peter Blais and Brian Kirby) have pulled papers. The fifth, Sara-Lynn Reynolds, said she would not run for a second term because the Democrat plans to challenge Republican state Sen. Richard Ross for his seat next year.

Local businessman Bert Buckley and Attleboro Farmers Market President Heather Porreca have also pulled papers for the at-large council race. Porreca returned them last month and is the only official candidate in the race. Buckley told Patch he definitely would run. Resident Jim Poore also pulled papers, but has since announced he would not run.

The deadline to enter the election is July 30. Any contest with more than two candidates will be part of the Sept. 17 preliminary election. The municipal election will take place Nov. 5.

Below are the statuses for the various races:

Mayor
Incumbent Kevin Dumas has pulled papers, but not returned them. Ronald Churchill has pulled papers. 

City Council At-Large
Incumbents Jay DiLisio, Richard Conti, Peter Blais and Brian Kirby have pulled papers. None has returned them. Incumbent Sara-Lynn Reynolds has not pulled papers. Heather Porreca has pulled papers and returned them. Burt Buckley and Ronald Churchill have pulled papers, but neither has returned them.

City Council Ward 1  
Incumbent Walter Thibodeau has pulled papers, but not returned them.

City Council Ward 2 
Incumbent Mark Cooper has pulled papers, but not returned them. Rick Correia has pulled papers, but not returned them.

City Council Ward 3 
Incumbent Frank Cook has not pulled papers. John Davis and Benjamin Dowling have pulled papers. Neither has returned them.

City Council Ward 4 
Incumbent Jonathan Weydt has pulled papers, but not returned them. Kathleen Hohlfield has pulled papers, but not returned them.

City Council Ward 5 
Incumbent Jeremy Denlea has pulled papers and returned them.

City Council Ward 6 
Incumbent Shannon Heagney has pulled papers and returned them.

School Committee At-Large 
Incumbents David Murphy and Barbara Craw have pulled papers, but neither has returned them. Incumbent Mike Tyler has not pulled papers. Jim Stors, Mariann Crisafulli, Nany Lamothe, Stacey Haven and Sarah Curtis have pulled papers.

School Committee Ward 1 
Incumbent Teri Enegren has not pulled papers. Shawn Moran has pulled papers.

School Committee Ward 2 
Incumbent Bill Larson has pulled papers, but not returned them. Jim Stors has pulled papers.

School Committee Ward 3
Incumbent Chris O'Neil has pulled papers, but not returned them. Jessica Bessell has pulled papers, but not returned them. 

School Committee Ward 4 
Incumbent Brenda Furtado has pulled papers, but not returned them. Kristina Piasecki and Diane Lynch-Bartek have pulled papers, but neither has returned them.

School Committee Ward 5
Incumbent Fran Zito has not pulled papers. Laura Dolan and Nancy Lamothe have pulled papers, but neither has returned them. 

School Committee Ward 6
Incumbent Ken Parent has not pulled papers. Stacey Haven has pulled papers, but not returned them. 

Other Contests

Incumbents Betty Shockroo (city clerk), Deb Marcoccio (city collector) and Ethel Sandbach (city treasurer) have pulled papers. None has returned them. No potential challengers have pulled papers.

Note: Some potential candidates have pulled papers for more than one race. They can only enter one.