Sarno wins, but Circosta calls campaign a victory

Nov. 5, 2015 | Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno celebrates his Election Day victory over challenger Sal Circosta with state Rep. Angelo Puppolo.
Reminder Publications photo by Chris Maza

SPRINGFIELD – Perception of the Springfield mayoral race differed greatly at the two candidates’ campaign parties Nov. 3.

Despite gaining just 22.6 percent of the vote and losing 11,749 - 3,452, challenger Sal Circosta’s speech to supporters was almost celebratory, while Mayor Domenic Sarno was somewhat bitter regarding the manner in which campaigns were conducted.

While congratulating the mayor on his decisive victory, Circosta also credited his staff and supporters with a strong campaign against “the machine,” forcing Sarno to spend money and energy in a contested race during which Circosta and his supporters were extremely vocal in the media and on social media.

“You made the machine spend $84,000 just to beat this 30-year-old kid from Forest Park,” he said to laughs and applause. “What we accomplished was the impossible. So many people wanted to run against the machine and wanted to expose what was really happening in our city … For Springfield, this has been a victory for all of us.”

 

Sal Circosta addresses his supporters after defeat. Thanks support against "the machine." #springfieldma #mapoli

A photo posted by Reminder Publications (@reminderpublications) on

Sarno, meanwhile, criticized his opponent for engaging in a negative campaign with tactics he characterized as spiteful and upsetting to those close to him.

“Campaigns are tough, and I’ve never run a negative campaign; we run on our record and on the issues, unlike this opponent, who really ran a negative, non-issue-based campaign,” he said. “I have thick skin, but things like that really can injure a family.

“That’s what happens when you have [candidates] who don’t have anything to stand on,” Sarno later added.

Sarno said he believed the city’s advancements in its financial stability and bond ratings, community policing, $2.7 billion in economic development initiatives were some of the factors that led to his capture of nearly 77 percent of the vote.

“The voters are intelligent and it showed in the vote,” he said.

With the city in a unique position of transition, Sarno emphasized the importance of continuity in the Mayor’s Office.

“People recognize that we have so many things that are in the pipeline right now and to be able to shepherd those projects and start new projects is very important,” he said.

 

#springfieldma mayor Domenic Sarno talks with state Rep. Angelo Puppolo at campaign headquarters. #mapoli

A photo posted by Reminder Publications (@reminderpublications) on

In spite of the mayor’s large margin of victory, Circosta continued to question Sarno’s effectiveness and how much support from residents he actually has.

“One of the things I’ve learned is I’ve seen the numbness of Springfield residents,” Circosta said. “So many people in Springfield see our issues and they don’t see what Mayor [Alex] Morse did in Holyoke to reintroduce pride in their city and be proud of their achievement. Springfield is not as proud as it should be.”

A mere 15,739 of the city’s 95,328 registered voters – 16.5 percent – cast ballots.

“People are not overall happy with Springfield and the direction we’re going, but they don’t get out and vote,” Circosta said. “What the solution to that is, I don’t know. Hopefully some smarter people ahead of me can figure that out.”

Sarno pointed out the turnout was higher than it was for the primary, but acknowledged the overall numbers were low. He said while political figures can attempt to engage voters, on Election Day, it is incumbent upon the citizens to exercise their rights.

“I think you see this not only in Springfield, but you see it many times throughout urban America,” he said. “I think people become disillusioned and don’t want to come out and vote ... I think it’s a question you could ask many of the electorate across America. People have to remember and respect the people who have given their lives to have that right to vote.”

Circosta also continued to criticize the mayor for his unwillingness to participate in debates or public forums.

“I came in second place, first place in the debates, though,” Circosta joked. “When we look at this overall, that was one of the biggest disappointments. I wanted to debate Domenic Sarno. I wanted to bring up these issues and get a response from him. There are so many questions he hasn’t answered, and I am not going to lose my voice on these questions.

“It was frustrating and I think it was a disservice to the people of Springfield. They deserve to hear their mayor speak and answer questions. It was more of a disservice to them than it was a disservice to me,” he added.

Sarno admitted declining to engage Circosta and “running on my record” was his campaign strategy, but said in the past when he’s felt the need to debate, he hasn’t backed away.

“I debated one of the all-time best in Springfield city politics in former Mayor Charlie Ryan,” he said.

Sarno also stressed he has made himself available to the public, not only during the campaign throughout his tenure as mayor.

“I’m the most scrutinized elected official in Western Massachusetts,” Sarno said. “I am out there all the time with business groups, neighborhood groups, and I’m constantly out there speaking with residents. People know where I stand.”

This is Circosta’s second failed attempt to campaign for a seat in city politics. He also ran unsuccessfully for City Council in Ward 3 in 2013.

When asked whether or not he would consider running again Circosta said, “We’ll see how big a hole Mayor Sarno digs for us.”

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