Kenny Largess scored a narrow win—by fewer than 100 votes—over fellow attorney Michael Tauer in the Wellesley Select Board race on Tuesday, March 4, according to official results released by the town clerk’s office.
It was a classic example of “your vote matters,” and just 17% of registered voters cast ballots. This was the lowest voter turnout since 2013, when just 7% of registered voters cast ballots during an election without contested town wide races.
In the only other contested town-wide race, with three candidates vying for two open Recreation Commission slots, incumbent Laurance Stuntz and newcomer Garfield Miller earned seats.
Select Board race
Largess, who has been serving as a member of the town’s Advisory Committee, won just over 40% of the vote, and five of eight precincts. He ran on a platform stressing his “independent voice” and that included helping the town realize strategic housing goals through “intelligent development,” keeping a sharp eye on spending, improving communications, and supporting seniors. Largess has been very active in school and youth sports activities during his time in town.
We came across Largess and his son holding signs in front of the Tolles Parsons Center on Tuesday night, with just a couple hours left of open polling places. On Wednesday morning, Largess messaged supporters, thanking them and sharing appreciation for his opponents in the race. “This campaign was always about ensuring that Wellesley’s leadership represents the whole town, especially those whose voices are often unheard,” Largess wrote.
Tauer, a veteran of Wellesley’s Permanent Building Committee, captured about 37% of the vote and the other three precincts. He pledged to take in different points of view and help build consensus if elected.
On Tuesday night, he shared a thank you message to supporters, and wrote “I offer my sincere congratulations to Kenny on his election to the Select Board. I look forward to working with Kenny to make sure that Wellesley continues to thrive.”
A third candidate, Odessa Sanchez, earned 18% of the votes. Sanchez, who serves as chair of the Wellesley Housing Authority Board, emphasized during her Select Board run a focus on providing connectivity of people and places across town.
Rec race & other offices
Rec Commission incumbent Stuntz had the most votes in seven of eight precincts, with Miller narrowly edging him in Precinct C. Candidate Nathalie de Fontnouvelle placed third in the Rec race. Interestingly, Miller did not secure a Town Meeting seat in hotly contested Precinct H.
No drama on the School Committee front this time around. Sharon Clarke, who was appointed last year to complete a term, won a one-year term, and Illana Nissenbaum was elected to fill a three-year term, with outgoing member Craig Mack’s term expiring.
Another notable result: Tom Hammond, who served on the Natural Resources Commission from 1992-1996, won an uncontested seat on that town body nearly 30 years later!
On the Town Meeting front, Royall Switzler returns from his gap year, and was voted in for Precinct C. He’ll look to start a new streak, after having his 61-year one snapped last year.
Congrats to all who ran for office as well as everyone who voted and helped to run the town election.
Post updated 3/5/25 to replace unofficial results with the newly released official ones, and to include post-election communications from candidates.
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