[broadstreet zone=”59945″]
FRAMINGHAM – Cesar Stewart-Morales was re-elected to serve as the District 2 City Councilor on Tuesday night, based on the unofficial results from the City Clerk.
Stewart-Morales defeated challenger Jake Binnall, a law student and former Framingham High Class of 2016 graduate.
Morales won both Precinct 3 and Precinct 5 to win District 2. He received 1,058 votes. Binnall received 679 votes.
Morales won Precinct 3 491 to 256 and he won Precinct 5 567 to 423.
“We won. While the official votes will be finalized in the next few days, there is no question at this time that the voters of District 2 have decided to send me back to the City Council for a second term. I will be the first District 2 Councilor to serve for two terms,” said Stewart-Morales on his social media page.
The first-ever elected District 2 City Councilor Pam Richardson chose not to seek re-election for a second term.
[broadstreet zone=”58610″]
“I am very grateful for your support, campaign contributions, calls, door-knocking and of course, for your votes!I am focused on working with the newly elected and re-elected officials to make sure that District 2 voices are heard in the Memorial Building,” said Stewart-Morales.
While City of Framingham elections are non-partisan, this race was very partisan.
Stewart-Morales is co-vice chair of the Framingham Democratic Committee.
Binall is chair of the Framingham Republican Committee.
The Framingham Democratic Committee for the first-time endorsed Stewart-Morales in the race.
Stewart-Morales, had endorsed the Mayor for re-election, but Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis who had endorsed mayoral challenger Charlie Sisistky, was actively campaigning for Stewart-Morales as he is a Democrat, like himself.
“Over the last several months, I have had the opportunity of a lifetime to meet my neighbors and talk about one of the most important things to me — Framingham. I have learned people’s stories, struggles and frustrations, and had wonderful conversations about my hopefulness for Framingham’s future. While the results were not what we were hoping for, I am immensely grateful for those who came out and voted for change on Tuesday. I still believe that District 2 needs leadership dedicated to advocating for all residents and focussed on progress, not politics,” said Binnall to SOURCE.
“Even though I was not elected, I will continue to advocate for the needs of my neighbors and I look forward to continued conversation about our future. I’d like to thank my family, friends, the Framingham Firefighters Union, the local business community, and most importantly the residents of District 2 who dedicated their time to support me in this race. Without you all, our message of good governance, effective advocacy, and civility never could have gotten out to the community. From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” said Binnall to SOURCE.
[broadstreet zone=”59947″]
Binnall, 23, if elected would have been the youngest City Councilor ever elected. He was the second youngest person on the ballot on Tuesday.
In a Q&A with SOURCE before the election Binnall said “voters should elect me District 2 City Councilor because I will be an effective, collaborative, and thoughtful advocate for the District, and I will not entrench myself in political theatrics. If you are disappointed with the lack of progress Framingham has made, feel that you can’t count on your local government to deliver for you, and want to see action come out of the Council, then I ask for your vote.”
Binnall a product of Framingham Public Schools said he had “been involved since “a young teenager and have been ever since because this community means so much to me. I had applied to serve on numerous boards and committees, and eventually was appointed by the Selectmen to serve on the Community Development Committee. I was fortunate to serve on this Committee for over 5 years allocating grants to local nonprofits. I served as the Student Representative on the School Committee for two terms while in high school and was class president for 3 years.While at UMass, I was appointed by the Mayor to the 2030 Youth Advisory Council and served on the UMass system Board of Trustees.”
Stewart-Morales did not answer the SOURCE Q&A citing family issues.
Stewart-Morales will be sworn-in for his second term on January 1, 2022.
[broadstreet zone=”59948″]
***
Photo courtesy of Norma Shulman
Town of Ashland