In a field with five official candidates (and one write-in candidate), including two strong incumbents, Julie Broussard had downplayed her chances. On more than one occasion, she'd said she really didn't expect to win one of three seats up for grabs on the Wilmington School Committee.
So when Broussard squeezed in and grabbed the third slot on Tuesday and found herself being sworn in as a member of the committee, her reaction was somewhat predictable.
“This isn’t quite how I thought the day would end,” said Broussard, who called the day a "roller-coaster ride". “I had a lot of help and support from friends, family and neighbors. I just want to say thank you.”
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Though Broussard will be a fresh face on the School Committee, a pair of veteran school officials will also return to work for the district.
Incumbents Peggy Kane and Kathleen Carroll were, by far, the top two vote getters in the field. Kanesaid she is excited to work with Carroll for another term and welcomes the input of newly elected member.
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“Right now our board has all different backgrounds, and I think that’s really helping to make our School Committee better,” said Kane. “I love working with these people. No one has a hidden agenda. Everyone is there for the kids and that’s really exciting to see.”
Meanwhile, at least one of the candidates who fell short in her bid for a seat on the committee this year is already setting her sights on another run in 12 months.
"Congratulation to Peggy Kane and Kathy Carroll on their reelection to the School Committee. Julie Broussard is our new school committee member," said Donna Leone, in a statement released on her campaign Facebook Page. "Let me say this, this entire journey has been quite an adventure and I want to say thank you to each and every one of you for your undying support and for voting for me. I also promise to be back, running for election to the School Committee in the Spring of 2014!!"
Here are the unofficial voting totals in Wilmington's 2013 Municipal election, courtesy of Town Clerk Sharon George.
ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION, APRIL 30, 2013
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
CANDIDATE
PREC. 1
PREC. 2
PREC. 3
PREC. 4
PREC. 5
PREC. 6
TOTALS:
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BLANKS
106
92
92
126
114
114
644
LOUIS CIMAGLIA, IV
449
450
375
497
475
451
2697
MICHAEL J. NEWHOUSE
440
454
361
474
504
459
2692
KEVIN F. MACDONALD
85
86
75
107
101
120
574
DANIEL MURPHY
87
84
69
99
102
72
513
WRITE IN
1
2
0
5
4
2
14
7134
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
BLANKS
402
407
359
439
430
405
2442
KATHLEEN M. CARROLL
332
320
270
380
391
361
2054
MARGARET A. KANE
369
362
309
418
414
406
2278
JULIE BROUSSARD
286
324
257
302
325
275
1769
DONNA R. LEONE
199
137
88
129
165
150
868
JENNIFER M. SPEAR
161
198
156
278
215
224
1232
MICHAEL BODNAR (WRITE IN
WRITE IN
3
4
19
16
10
6
58
10701
HOUSING AUTHORITY
BLANKS
147
144
105
154
136
144
830
ROBERT C. DIPASQUALE
434
436
381
495
507
457
2710
WRITE IN
3
4
0
5
7
8
27
3567
SHAWSHEEN VOC. TECH
BLANKS
119
120
89
148
117
120
713
ROBERT G. PETERSON
461
462
394
504
525
482
2828
WRITE IN
4
2
3
2
8
7
26
3567
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