JENNIFER GRIGORAITIS
MELROSE — Jennifer Grigoraitis is a history maker after defeating Monica Medeiros Solano Tuesday to become the first woman elected mayor of Melrose.
Grigoraitis, who represents Ward 6 on the City Council and is the current council president, scored an impressive win over Medeiros Solano this week. The victor positioned herself as an experienced leader who cares deeply about the city and all its people, just as her opponent did. Medeiros Solano is a former alderman and School Committee member who has run for the city’s highest office before.
“I am so grateful that Melrose voters supported our vision and plan for moving Melrose forward,” Grigoraitis told a news outlet. “By working together, I am hopeful that we will accomplish so much for our city and its residents.
“I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders from across the community to start this important work immediately.”
According to unofficial results released Tuesday night, Grigoraitis took all but one of the city’s 14 precincts. In Ward 4, Precinct 2 voters backed Medeiros Solano 445-412. Grigoraitis unofficially won the race for mayor by 1,200 votes.
Medeiros Solano said, “I congratulate Jennifer Grigoraitis on her election to become the first elected female Mayor of Melrose.
“While the outcome was not what we had worked towards, I am proud of the positive campaign we ran based on local issues and ideas. I am so grateful for our grassroots team who knocked on doors, made thousands of calls, put up hundreds of lawn signs, held signs, wrote letters and hosted neighborhood meet and greets. I want to thank these volunteers who worked tirelessly to get me elected. Their generosity and enthusiasm was unmatched.
“I want to offer my sincere thanks to each and every person who had enough faith and trust in me to cast their vote for me in this election. It was a true honor to be a part of this process, and I wish nothing but the best for our future.”
Grigoraitis will succeed one term Mayor Paul Brodeur, who decided not to seek reelection last spring.
She will take office in January.
