Gardner MA Election Results 2023
Municipal Election Tuesday, November 7, 2023
UPDATE: 11-17-23 Official Results Vary from Unofficial Results – It appears results from Ward 4a were not included in the unofficial numbers. Here are the official certified results on pdf, CLICK HERE.
Voters Decide
Mayor for 2 years
6 Councilors at Large for 2 years
all 5 Ward Councilors for 2 years
3 School Committee members for 4 years
Non-binding ballot question re Charter
State Senate Race.
Original (incorrect) Unoffical Results from City Clerk on pdf, CLICK HERE.
Mayor of Gardner – Unofficial on 11-7-23
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Nicholson | 2253 | 67.6% |
| Kimberly Blake | 1078 | 32.4% |
Mayor of Gardner Official on 11-17-23
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Nicholson | 2,459 | 65.8% |
| Kimberly Blake | 1,189 | 31.8% |
| Write-ins | 14 | .4% |
| Blanks | 73 | 1.9% |
| Total Ballots Cast | 3735 | 99.9% |
Candidates: Ron Cormier, Jim Hunt, Craig Cormier, Calvin Brooks, Brad Heglin, Carolyn Kamuda, Elizabeth Kazinskas, Judy Mack, George Tyros
Publisher’s Note: These are unofficial results. Use with caution, especially since Kamuda and Brooks are separated by 1 vote.
Councilors at Large ( Top 6 Vote Getters are Elected)
| Candidate | Unofficial Votes 11-7-23 | Official Votes 11-17-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Kazinskas | 1,898 | 2094 |
| George Tyros | 1,673 | 1818 |
| Judy Mack | 1,648 | 1807 |
| Ronald Cormier | 1,590 | 1742 |
| Craig Cormier | 1,563 | 1722 |
| Carolyn Kamuda | 1,534 | 1696 |
| Calvin Brooks | 1,533 | 1683 |
| Brad Heglin | 1,365 | 1497 |
| James Hunt | 1,093 | 1197 |
Ward Councilors
Unofficial Results 11-7-23
| Ward | Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
| 1 | James Wallgren | 332 | 48.3% |
| David Thibault-Munoz | 355 | 51.7% | |
| 2 | Dana Heath | 644 | 100% |
| 3 | Paul Tassone | 373 | 53.7% |
| Jeffrey M. Palmieri | 322 | 46.3% | |
| 4 | Karen Hardern | 195 | 100% |
| 5 | Aleksander Dernalowicz | 576 | 100% |
Official Results 11-17-23
| Ward | Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
| 1 | James Wallgren | 333 | 43.5% |
| David Thibault-Munoz | 355 | 46.4% | |
| Blanks | 75 | ||
| Write-In | 1 | ||
| Total Ballots | 764 | ||
| 2 | Dana Heath | 646 | 75.6% |
| Write-In | 6 | ||
| Blanks | 203 | ||
| Total Ballots | 855 | ||
| 3 | Paul Tassone | 373 | 49% |
| Jeffrey Palmieri | 322 | 42.3% | |
| Write-In | 2 | ||
| Blanks | 64 | ||
| Total Ballots | 761 | ||
| 4 | Karen Hardern | 421 | 73.4% |
| Write-in | 9 | ||
| Blanks | 143 | ||
| Total Ballots | 573 | ||
| 5 | Aleksander Dernalowicz | 577 | 73.7% |
| Write-in | 1 | ||
| Blanks | 204 | ||
| Total Ballots | 782 |
Candidates: Margaret Bissonette, Rachael Cormier, Brandon Hughey, John LaFrieniere, Stephen Sandoval, and Robert Swartz
School Committee (Top 3 Vote Getters are Elected for 4 year Term)
Unofficial Results 11-7-23
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Rachael Cormier | 1844 | |
| John M LaFreniere | 1514 | |
| Robert Swartz | 1260 | |
| Margaret Bissonnette | 1216 | |
| Brandon Hughey | 1060 | |
| Stephen Sandoval | 834 | |
Official Results 11-17-23
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Rachael Cormier | 2025 | |
| John M LaFreniere | 1663 | |
| Robert Swartz | 1403 | |
| Margaret Bissonnette | 1330 | |
| Brandon Hughey | 1155 | |
| Stephen Sandoval | 933 | |
Charter Question
Unofficial vote 11-7-23
| Yes or No | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| YES | 1772 | 59.6% |
| NO | 1199 | 40.4% |
Official Vote 11-17-23
| Yes or No | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| YES | 1928 | 51.6% |
| NO | 1320 | 35.3% |
| Blanks | 487 | 13% |
| Total Ballots | 3735 | 99.9% |
State Senate (overall vote) – May be slightly higher for each after Gardner 4a is added.
Unofficial Results 11-7-23
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Zlotnik | 9,813 | 45% |
| Peter Durant | 11,985 | 55% |
Unofficial 11-7-23 – The City of Gardner vote favored Zlotnik who garnered 1,869 Gardner votes to Durant’s 1,511, but it will be Durant who goes to the Upper Chamber with 55% of the overall vote from the District.
Official 11-7-23 Zlotnik 2040, Durant 1669
Preliminary and Primary October 10, 2023
| For Mayor | Total Votes | % of Votes Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Kimberly Ann Blake | 654 | 32% |
| Martin Gray | 80 | 4% |
| Michael Joseph Nicholson – Incumbent | 1308 | 64% |
We spoke to Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson at around 10pm on October 10, 2023 regarding the Election Results and future plans. CLICK PLAY.
| For School Committee | Total Votes | % of Votes Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen P. Sandoval | 548 | 10.8% |
| Rachael Ann Cormier – Incumbent | 1193 | 23.5% |
| Robert J. Swartz- Incumbent | 730 | 14.4% |
| Ayesha Zarinha Coaxum | 405 | 8% |
| Margaret Bissonnette | 712 | 14% |
| Brandon Richard Hughey | 647 | 12.8% |
| John M. LaFreniere – Incumbent | 839 | 16.5% |
The top 6 will appear on the November ballot. That means that Ayesha Zarinha Coaxum will not be advancing.
State Primary – State Senator
| Democrat | Total Votes from Gardner only | % of Votes from Gardner only |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan D. Zlotnik | 1030 | 100% |
| Republican | Total Votes from Gardner Only | % of Votes in Gardner only |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce K. Chester | 644 | 70.8% |
| Peter J. Durant | 270 | 29.2% |
In the Senate District overall, Peter J. Durant is projected the winner with about 60% of the vote and will be the Republican Candidate running against Jonathan Zlotnik for the State Senate seat.
| Libertarian | Total Votes | % of Votes |
|---|---|---|
| —- | —- | — |
General Election – November 7, 2023
Election 2023 Information
Gardner November 7, 2023 Election: Polls open 7am to 8pm —- Candidates for Mayor – Michael Nicholson, Incumbent —- Politics page with large list of Nicholson Endorsements —- Kimberly Blake. —- Candidates for Councilor at Large (Voters will choose 6 from this list of 9) – Ron Cormier, Incumbent —- Jim Hunt —- Craig Cormier, Incumbent —- Calvin Brooks —- Brad Heglin —- Carolyn Kamuda —- Self-profile —- Elizabeth Kazinskas, Incumbent —- Judy Mack, Incumbent —- George Tyros, Incumbent Ward One: David Thibault-Munoz —- James Wallgren —- Ward Two: Dana Heath Ward Three: Jeffrey M. Palmieri —- Paul Tassone, Incumbent Ward Four: Karen Hardern Ward Five: Aleksander Dernalowicz —- School Committee: (Voters will choose 3 from this list of 6) —- Margaret Bissonnette —- Rachael Cormier, Incumbent —- Brandon Hughey —- John LaFrieniere, Incumbent — Stephen Sandoval —- Robert Swartz, Incumbent. —- Special Senate Election: Jonathan Zlotnik – interview click here and Peter Durant
Ballot Question re Charter: Mayor Explains in Article —- Complete Voter Information Packet, CLICK HERE. – Packet is 35 pages long and explains all the proposed changes.