Marion held its annual town election on Friday, May 16, with early and mail-in voting also taking place leading up to the final tally. During a long day of voting, candidates gathered at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center off Route 6 to hold signs and do some last-minute campaigning to win over undecided voters. Cynthia Callow held campaign signs with her mother. John Hoagland and company held signs nearby to Sean Sweeney and family. George “TJ” Walker held a sign in support of his Citizen’s Petition, Article 51 of the Town Meeting Warrant while supporting Question 2 on the election ballot, both pertaining to road and sidewalk maintenance.
The candidates all stressed their eagerness to get to work following the vote, and all stated varying levels of confidence. Hoagland made comments about the weather and their appreciating for being outside, with Hoagland saying “It’s a lovely day. Nice weather for this. We have some extremely friendly people.” Hoagland boasted excitedly at his social media strategy’s success, “Have you seen the videos? – there was the one of me driving on Front Street, 17,000 views!” he exclaimed. He then added, “The one with the Sherman Briggs outhouse, 16,000 views.” He then talked of his most recent video, being posted the day prior and garnering 3,000 views in a single day.
Later, referring to the cars still coming in to vote, he touched on his surprise to the number of EVs present, saying “I was amazed at the number of electric cars. I was amazed by that.” He also told The Wanderer that his priority would be climate change and environmental-related issues. He also expressed his displeasure with certain things in town governance, such as the Citizen’s Petition to re-separate the Harbormaster and Police Departments, though stressed he would speak more on his grievances following the election. Nearing 8 o’clock, Hoagland paced anxiously, clearing wanting the results to appear in his hands.
Callow also was delighted by the weather, and sitting with her mother, said “I’m feeling good. It was a great day and overall, the experience of running was great. It was a really good, magnificent experience for me.”
Sean Sweeney, candidate for the open seat on the Select Board, declined to make a comment before or after the results were announced
At 8:00 pm, voting ceased and the candidates, their families, town workers, and other members of the public made their way inside to await the results.
Most candidates sat around a circular table to chat while they waited. Town Clerk Lissa Magauran and other staff members cycled the 945 paper ballots through a counter that printed a long receipt-like print of the results. Tallying mail-in and early voting results into these, Lissa then read the results to the crowded room that fell to silence.
Hoagland won the hotly contested Select Board seat, with his first meeting on May 20, the Tuesday after. Cindy Callow, when asked for a comment, told The Wanderer, “Well, obviously I’m disappointed. But the town is very lucky to have beautiful people running. – I’m not going anywhere. So, I’m going to run until I get in. So, there we go. It’s been a good experience.”
Marion 2025 Annual Town Election
By Sam Bishop