Voters elected Yvonne Spicer Tuesday to serve as Framingham’s first mayor, choosing a political outsider with a background in education to lead the community’s new city government.The Spicer campaign told Newscenter 5's Julie Loncich that former state Rep. John Stefanini called Spicer and conceded. See election resultsThe Metrowest Daily News reports Spicer, a vice president at the Museum of Science in Boston, defeated former state representative and town selectman John Stefanini in a race that grew nasty as election day neared.She will take office Jan. 1, 2018, becoming the first mayor in Framingham’s 317-year history. The vote follows the town’s decision in April to become a city, replacing the centuries-old town government structure.Spicer, 55, touted her personal integrity and leadership skills during the campaign, pledging to be responsive to the public and serve as “the people’s mayor.”She overcame a fundraising gap and relative inexperience in politics to beat Stefanini in the mayoral contest. Her campaign reached out extensively to female voters, and touted a network of grassroots volunteers and donors, many of whom were women. Spicer also had the backing of EMILY’s List and the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, among other groups.Adding to the historical significance of Tuesday’s vote, Spicer is believed to be the first popularly-elected female African-American mayor in the state’s history.A Brooklyn native, Spicer moved to Framingham for a teaching job in 1985. She began her career at Farley and Walsh middle schools, then went on to Framingham High, working for 16 years as both a classroom instructor and administrator focused on technology education.She earned a doctorate in educational leadership, and is now vice president of advocacy and educational partnerships at the Museum of Science. Working in a startup division at the museum, Spicer travels the country building capacity for STEM programs in local schools.Spicer has lived in Framingham for 32 years, both on the Northside and Southside. She raised a niece in the community, and was elected to serve on Town Meeting, taking a position on the Ways and Means Committee.Tuesday’s contest follows a momentous decision in April to reform local government. By a margin of only 112 votes, residents adopted a new city charter, installing a strong mayor to lead the executive branch, and eliminating the position of town manager and the Board of Selectmen. The charter also disbands Town Meeting, replacing it with an 11-member City Council.

Voters elected Yvonne Spicer Tuesday to serve as Framingham’s first mayor, choosing a political outsider with a background in education to lead the community’s new city government.



The Spicer campaign told Newscenter 5's Julie Loncich that former state Rep. John Stefanini called Spicer and conceded.

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See election results

The Metrowest Daily News reports Spicer, a vice president at the Museum of Science in Boston, defeated former state representative and town selectman John Stefanini in a race that grew nasty as election day neared.

She will take office Jan. 1, 2018, becoming the first mayor in Framingham’s 317-year history. The vote follows the town’s decision in April to become a city, replacing the centuries-old town government structure.

Spicer, 55, touted her personal integrity and leadership skills during the campaign, pledging to be responsive to the public and serve as “the people’s mayor.”

She overcame a fundraising gap and relative inexperience in politics to beat Stefanini in the mayoral contest. Her campaign reached out extensively to female voters, and touted a network of grassroots volunteers and donors, many of whom were women. Spicer also had the backing of EMILY’s List and the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, among other groups.

This content is imported from Election Hub. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Adding to the historical significance of Tuesday’s vote, Spicer is believed to be the first popularly-elected female African-American mayor in the state’s history.

A Brooklyn native, Spicer moved to Framingham for a teaching job in 1985. She began her career at Farley and Walsh middle schools, then went on to Framingham High, working for 16 years as both a classroom instructor and administrator focused on technology education.

She earned a doctorate in educational leadership, and is now vice president of advocacy and educational partnerships at the Museum of Science. Working in a startup division at the museum, Spicer travels the country building capacity for STEM programs in local schools.

Spicer has lived in Framingham for 32 years, both on the Northside and Southside. She raised a niece in the community, and was elected to serve on Town Meeting, taking a position on the Ways and Means Committee.

Tuesday’s contest follows a momentous decision in April to reform local government. By a margin of only 112 votes, residents adopted a new city charter, installing a strong mayor to lead the executive branch, and eliminating the position of town manager and the Board of Selectmen. The charter also disbands Town Meeting, replacing it with an 11-member City Council.

This content is imported from Election Hub. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.