MELROSE — The historic November election for mayor will pit Ward 6 Councilor and current City Council President Jennifer Grigoraitis against former Alderman and School Committee member Monica Medeiros Solano after voters picked them in Tuesday’s Preliminary Mayoral Election.
Grigoraitis topped the ticket in the three-way preliminary race, with Medeiros Solano finishing 76 votes ahead of Sam Hammar.
More than a quarter of the city’s eligible voters participated in the Preliminary Election, with Grigoraitis garnering about 36 percent of the vote while Medeiros Solano received 32 percent and Hammar 31 percent.
Unofficially, Grigoraitis received 2,000 votes, Medeiros Solano 1,783 votes and Hammar 1,707 votes. Precinct-by-precinct results are available at cityofmelrose.org.
With the Preliminary Election in the books, all eyes now turn to November 7, when Melrosians will elect their first woman mayor.
Grigoraitis wrote on her campaign Facebook page: ”Thank you! Thanks to your incredible support and generosity, we were victorious today!
“Not only that, we were the top vote-getter — topping the ticket.
“I also want to thank Sam and Monica for an engaging campaign and for raising and discussing important issues that will be critical as we look to the future of our city.
“This is just the beginning. In seven short weeks, we will choose our next mayor. I promise that I will work harder than ever to build a coalition that reaches into every part of Melrose. Our campaign will continue to spread a positive message about the future of our city. I will be out working again tomorrow and encourage you to join me in the weeks ahead.
“I look forward to working with you to Move Melrose Forward. This is the first step — let’s do this!”
Medeiros Solano said in a statement to the Weekly News: “I am so excited to have the opportunity to move on to the November ballot in this historic election. I want to express my gratitude to the voters of Melrose for giving me this chance.
I have been making my way through the city knocking on doors and holding neighborhood meet and greets. I hope to share my vision for strong fiscal management, excellence in education, a beautiful and well cared for Melrose and a government that is open, transparent and welcoming.
“Many thanks go out to my grassroots team of supporters who have been out working with me. I would not be here without them, and I am so grateful.
“I congratulate Jennifer Grigoraitis and look forward to a vigorous campaign focused on the issues we face locally here in Melrose.
“Congratulations also go out to Sam Hammar and her supporters – all who worked very hard for the betterment of Melrose.”
Hammar wrote in an email to the Weekly News: “I want to begin by expressing my deep gratitude to each and every one of you who supported our campaign. While our journey may not have culminated in victory, it has been an incredible and humbling experience. Together, we embarked on a mission to make our city a better place for all, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your dedication, passion, and unwavering belief in our vision for what Melrose can be.
“As we move forward from this moment, let us remember that elections may end, but our commitment to our city and its people must never waver. Our city is a diverse tapestry of dreams, cultures, and aspirations, and it is only when we come together that we can weave a better future for all.
“The hard work we have ahead of us is not the sole responsibility of any one individual or party—it is a collective effort that requires the cooperation of every Melrosian. It is a commitment to building bridges, not walls; to listening to one another, not shouting over each other. It is about finding common ground and striving for solutions that benefit the greater good. I urge each of you to remain united in this pursuit, to transcend any divisions that may have arisen during this campaign, and to remember that our shared vision of a stronger, more prosperous city is what truly matters.
“A huge thank you to my family for giving me the opportunity to meet with hundreds of neighbors instead of being home with you. Thank you to the volunteers who, rain or shine, showed up to push forward our shared vision for Melrose. Thank you to the 26 house party hosts, parklet conversations, hundreds of you who answered your doors, and so many on social media (maybe too many). A gigantic thank you to the core team and supporters who pushed me forward.
“In closing, I want to once again express my profound gratitude for the incredible journey we have taken together. Let us move forward with determination, hope, and a commitment to working tirelessly for the greater good of our beloved city because when we’re together today, we’re stronger tomorrow. Thank you, Melrose.”
