All Pawtucket All The Time

Winning all six districts and nearly every voting precinct Don Grebien, whose first bid for mayor fell short two years ago, swept to an overwhelming victory in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, virtually assuring he will be the city’s next mayor. “They say that some things are sweeter the second time around. Well, how sweet it is!” said Grebien, his wife Laureen and their children Alexa and Connor by his side as he addressed a jubilant gathering of more than 200 at the Lefoyer Club on Fountain Street.

With no other party or independent candidates certified for the November ballot, the primary win virtually assures Grebien will become the city’s next mayor come January.

According to a tally of all 31 precincts by the state Board of Elections, Grebien, a former City Council president, received 5,627 votes, or 63.5 percent, to 3,231 votes, or 36.5 percent, for his opponent, Henry S. Kinch Jr., the current council president. The figures were unofficial pending final certification by the Board of Elections.

Grebien thanked his wife, family and supporters and deviated from his prepared remarks by calling Tom Scanlon, a 76-year-old campaign worker whose acknowledged errors handling voter registration forms Grebien defended as an honest mistake, to the podium as the room filled with cheers. Grebien embraced his longtime friend, calling Scanlon “the man who felt this election the most.”

Grebien said he would begin work as soon as possible to set up a transition team and would be reaching out to 13-year Mayor James E. Doyle, who did not seek reelection, for assistance to make the transition to a new administration as smooth as possible. He also praised Doyle, despite their political differences, as “a gentleman of  uncommon decency” who over his 40 years of public service had left the city “a much better place than he found it.” 

Grebien concluded, “An ancient philosopher once said the longest journey begins with a single step. But some steps are bigger than others. Today the citizens of Pawtucket, in an unmistakably clear voice, told us they are ready to take that big first step on the path of change, away from the politics of the past, and in a new direction toward a better, brighter future.  I accept their vote of confidence with humble thanks, knowing that what future success we have will be multiplied, many times over, for having achieved it together.”

Grebien also noted voters backed all the School Committee candidates allied with him, with incumbents Nicole Nordquist and Joanne Bonollo finishing first and third respectively in the citywide race, newcomer Mike Araujo coming in second, and former School Committee members Ray Spooner and Alan Tenreiro both returned to office. Another Grebien supporter, City Councilor-at-large Albert Vitali Jr., was the top vote getter in the at-large council contest.