FALL RIVER — Candidates submitted their nomination papers and certified signatures to qualify for the 2025 municipal election this past week on July 19. The upcoming mayoral, City Council, and School Committee races have no shortage of newcomers and returning challengers — many who have dabbled in politics or boast a notable presence online.
Incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan is seeking his fourth term as the city’s top executive. He has been mayor since being first elected in 2019. Previously, he served on the School Committee.
Running against Coogan are Gabriel “Boomer” Amaral, Carlos Cesar, Christopher Silvia and Michael J. Vandal.
Who is running for Fall River mayor?
In January, Cesar, the former president of the Flint Neighborhood Association, announced on Facebook that his campaign will revolve around securing funding for city schools, making Fall River an affordable place to live, and supporting public safety.
Amaral took to Facebook as well to announce a run for mayor, where his budding campaign insists that he is the only candidate in the mayoral race pledging to decrease the budget “without putting the taxpayers and the first responders at risk.” Amaral previous ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2019 and 2023 and mounted a campaign for state representative in 2024 to replace Paul Schmid.
This month, Silvia, the owner of Christopher’s cafe on South Main Street, pursued a campaign and joined the race with weeks to spare, stating in a July 21 Facebook post that he would be embarking on a “yet another journey … to do the right thing for our city and its people.”
City Council race sees all incumbents in the running, plus five new challengers
All incumbent City Councilors are running for re-election: Shawn Cadime, Joseph Camara, Michelle Dionne, Paul Hart, Bradford Kilby, Linda Pereira, Cliff Ponte, Andrew Raposo and Ricky Tith.
Silvia’s spouse, Nathan Silvia, has entered the running for a seat on the City Council.
In addition to Nathan Silvia, Michael G. Canuel, Jonathan D. Lima, Louis Alves Melim and Christopher Michael Peckham are running to score a seat on the council.
Peckham will renew his bid for a seat on the City Council since he last ran in 2021. On several social media platforms, he promised action on rising taxes and fees, and to be “the unwavering voice for change.”
Canuel more recently urged current councilors to hold the Coogan administration accountable when it comes to abiding by the city’s 2017 Home Rule Charter. In a Facebook post, Canuel recalled his 2009 run for City Council, and pledged, if elected, to be a councilor “who makes data-driven decisions, asks tough questions, and never forgets who’s paying the bill.”
Laura Pacheco announced a run to claim a seat on the City Council early this year, and on a Facebook page dedicated to her burgeoning campaign, said she was collecting signatures at eateries around the city as recently as June 10. However, her name is not included in the roster of nominees shared with The Herald News by the city’s Office of Elections as of the July 19 deadline.
School Committee: three incumbents running, with the promise of new faces
Thomas Khoury, Kevin Aguiar and Collin Dias are the only three Fall River Public School Committee members who are seeking to renew their terms.
Randy Scott Dudek, Marc Nathaniel Mollicone, John Sylvia, Ana Cristina Riley, Emanuel Moniz, Shelley Joy Stewart and Shiv Thakur will seek a seat on the School Committee.
Current School Committee members Bobby Bailey, Mimi Larrivee and Shelli Pereira are not among those running.
Thakur, a real estate agent, is the only newcomer who has embarked on a social media campaign to date, championing access to “quality education, support, and opportunity” for every member of the Fall River community. “My goal is to listen, uplift, and work together to build a stronger future for all,” he wrote in a July 9 Facebook post.
Bryan Reyas Cruz of Fall River is a first-time voter in Election 2024
Bryan Reyas Cruz of Fall River is a first-time voter in Election 2024.
What’s the next deadline for nominees?
July 19 was the certification deadline for candidates listed to submit the requisite number of signatures to qualify for the preliminary and municipal election ballot.
Certified candidates will receive back their cover letter and nomination papers, signed by the chief elections official, Ryan Lyons.
Candidates must file their papers with the City Clerk by Saturday, Aug. 2, at 5 p.m. All papers will be placed on file with each candidates’ election records.
The following Monday, Aug. 4, is reserved as the deadline for any candidate to withdraw from the election, or to make an objection to a nomination.
When is the preliminary election in Fall River?
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, precincts will be open for polling between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Requests for a recount, and acceptance of write-in nominations must be filed by Sept. 22 by 5 p.m.
When is the municipal election in Fall River?
To vote in the November election, voters must register by Oct. 25 to vote in person, or by Oct. 28 for an absentee or a mail-in ballot.
Winning candidates will be decided by election results on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Precincts will be open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Recount requests must be submitted by Nov. 14 at 5 p.m.
