Newton Mayor Setti Warren was the choice of Faire-goers among Democratic candidates for governor in the Watertown Democratic Town Committee’s annual straw poll at Saturday’s Faire on the Square. Warren won 41 percent of the 115 votes cast, while former Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez came in second with 37 percent, according to the announcement from the Democratic Town Committee.
The poll was held at the Democratic Town Committee’s booth at Watertown’s annual Faire on the Square, Saturday, September 23, 2017. Participants were asked to choose between the announced candidates in the 2018 Democratic Gubernatorial Primary.
Coming in third place with 18 percent of the vote was former Lieutenant Governor candidate and environmental entrepreneur Bob Massie. Write-in candidates including undecided voters received the remaining votes. Full results are available on the Town Committee’s Facebook page: facebook.com/watertowndems.
“We’ve been doing straw polls at the Faire for the past ten years, and we are very pleased by the response,” said Steve Owens, chair of the Democratic Town Committee. “Even at this early point in the race, there was interest in next year’s gubernatorial contest. We were happy to help spread the word and introduce Watertown to our great slate of candidates.”
While the poll is not intended to be scientific, Mr. Owens pointed out that winners of the Committee’s straw poll have frequently gone on to win in Watertown. “We have a very good track record of reflecting the feelings of the Watertown electorate,” he said. In 2016, the committee’s poll matched the eventual Watertown result on all four of the ballot questions that year.
Members of the Committee represent the Democratic Party at the local neighborhood level, promote the Party platform and work for the nomination and election of Democrats. Under Massachusetts General Law, Democratic Committees reorganize every four years.
“We’re always looking for interested Democrats,” said Mr. Owens. “Being on the Watertown Democratic Committee is a great way to meet people who share your interests and passions.”
The Committee usually meets on the last Thursday of the month in the lower meeting room of the Town Hall. Its next meeting will be September 28 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please contact watertowndems@gmail.com or visit their website at www.wdtc.us.