Candidate Withdraws From Race After Melrose Address Disputed

MELROSE, MA — A candidate in the race to represent Melrose on the Northeast Regional Vocational School Committee is withdrawing after Patch published a story raising questions about whether he lives where he claims to.

Andrew White told Patch in a text message Monday afternoon he is going to "withdraw from the school post," citing family concerns.

Joshua White, who has mentioned in posts on a Facebook community group as far back as 2018 that his father hasn't lived with him at 35 Otis St. for years, said his father was only withdrawing because he got caught.

A recent lease provided to Patch does not list Andrew White among the occupants. An email to the landlord of the property was not immediately returned.

Asked Friday if he lives at 35 Otis St., Andrew White told Patch, "That is my legal address." Pressed on whether he actually resides there, he answered, "Yes."

He wouldn't speak on the record about why his son would say otherwise.

Andrew White provided Patch with an unexpired version of his driver's license that listed 35 Otis St. as his address. Public records show that address among several related to White, the most recent of which appears to be a P.O. box in Stoneham.

"The clerk/elections office is aware that there have been questions raised about Mr. White’s address and residency, but we have not received a formal complaint at this time," City Clerk Amy Kamosa told Patch Friday.

Joshua White said he was planning to make a formal complaint before his father said he is withdrawing.

Even with many mail-in ballots already having been cast, his withdrawal clears the way for Ward Hamilton to win the seat long held by Henry Hooton. Hamilton is the chair of the Melrose Historical Commission.

"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to serve the interests of Melrose students who are attending the vocational school and who are looking forward attending the vocational school," Hamilton said when reached after White said he is withdrawing.

The School Committee is made up of 12 members from Chelsea, Malden, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Revere, Saugus, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester, Winthrop and Woburn. The school is in Wakefield.

The seat will finally be open after more than three decades being filled by former Melrose President of the Board of Aldermen and School Committee member Henry Hooton.