GLOCESTER – A primary held on Tuesday, Sept. 10 narrowed down the field of Republican candidates running for the Glocester Town Council from six to five, with Matthew Verrier now eliminated from the November ballot after securing the least number of votes, according to the unofficial tally.
Verrier, one of three endorsed Republicans, received 242 votes, falling short of a spot on the ballot by just 20 votes in the totals posted by the Board of Elections as of Tuesday night. The president of Midnight Fuel Oil Inc. was edged out by fifth place candidate and endorsed Republican Stephanie Calise, who received 262 votes.
Council President William Worthy was the top vote getter in the early contest with 388 votes, followed by two other incumbents who endorsed each other, along with the board leader: Walter Steere and Johnathan Burlingame.
Cheryl Greathouse, who was endorsed by the Republican party but not her fellow board members, came in forth of the four incumbents with 344 votes.
Town Clerk Jean Fecteau noted that in Glocester, a local primary takes place when candidates in a single party exceed the number of open positions.
Verrier’s departure from the race leaves the five remaining Republicans to face off against independents Gregory Gabel and Mark Howard in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
All candidates in town races have been invited to submit a statement regarding their background and reasons for running, along with three statements on their policy positions.
