Updated 6 pm Friday
Martha’s Vineyard voters went to the polls on Thursday in a state primary election that sets the stage for the general election in November. Turnout was high across the Vineyard — about 30 percent — compared with many towns on the Cape and Nantucket (10 percent).
The Sept. 8 primary ballot included candidates for a Ninth District representative in U.S. Congress, First District councillor, state senator, state representative, Dukes County sheriff, Dukes County registrar of deeds, and seven Dukes County commissioners.
Two local races attracted considerable attention.
In the race for the office of Register of Deeds, Assistant Register of Deeds Paulo DeOliveira came out on top in a four-way race on the Democratic ticket to replace Register Dianne Powers, who announced she would retire with two years remaining in her six-year term after 22 years in office.
Mr. DeOliveira bested Laura J. Hairston, lawyer Candace “Candy” Nichols, and lawyer Eve Lauren Vincent. In a crowded field, Mr. DeOliveira outdistanced his nearest rival Candace Nichols 2,506 to 578.
“I am overwhelmed and humbled by the amount of support that I have received so far in this campaign,” Mr. DeOliveira said in a statement emailed to The Times, “and I want to express my deepest gratitude to the 40-plus people who volunteered their time to hold signs yesterday, and the countless others that supported me by spreading the word to their friends and family — and most importantly by getting out to vote. I am looking forward to November and am grateful for your continued support.”
There were no Republicans candidates. However, Martina Thornton, Dukes County Manager, announced that she would run as an independent candidate in the general election.
In the race for sheriff, acting Dukes County Sheriff Robert Ogden of West Tisbury beat former jailer and Oak Bluffs recreation director Marc Rivers of Oak Bluffs, 2,269 to 1,357.
In a statement to The Times, Mr. Ogden said, “I would like to extend my deepest appreciation for the overwhelming vote of confidence in my candidacy for Sheriff of the County of Dukes County. Jeanne and I were humbled by the outpouring of voter support and heartfelt sentiment at the polls on September 8th. I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude toward the many volunteers who held signs and raised their voices for my candidacy across the Island. I would also like to recognize the herculean efforts of my campaign staff, whose commitment to my message and campaign made this day possible. I enthusiastically accept the Democratic nomination and look forward to sharing my progressive, inclusive, and collaborative vision for the future of the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office in the general election.”
Mr. Ogden will face retired State Police officer Neal Maciel of Vineyard Haven, who chose to run as an unenrolled candidate, in the general election that will decide who will replace Dukes County Sheriff Michael McCormack, who is retiring after 42 years on the job, 18 years as sheriff.
The Dukes County Sheriff’s department is responsible for the county jail, house of correction, civil process, and the Island communications center, which handles all emergency 911 calls and public safety communications, and fulfills a variety of other programs and duties.
State Senate
Three Democratic and two Republican candidates appeared on the ballot in the race for the state senate seat now held by Dan Wolf (D-Harwich).
Based on mainland results published in the Cape Cod Times, Julian Cyr (D) of Truro who currently serves on the board of directors of Health Imperatives, a nonprofit health and human services agency that provides services to families and individuals on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, topped Sheila R. Lyons (D) of Wellfleet, a geriatric social worker and Barnstable County commissioner, 9,262 to 6,474.
In a statement emailed to The Times, Mr. Cyr said it was an honor to be selected as the Democratic State Senate candidate and he thanked the voters of the Cape and islands. “This race has always been about making sure that families on Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Cape Cod can still have a chance to make in our communities,” he said. “That our neighbors and children fighting addiction can get the treatment they deserve. That people who’ve lived their entire life here can retire with dignity. That we preserve and repair our unique environment for the next generation.”
On the Republican side of the ledger, Anthony Schiavi, a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general who previously served as the town manager and police commissioner for the town of Ashland, beat James H. Crocker (R) of Barnstable, 4,823 to 4,365.
“I am honored to have the Republican nomination and move forward to the general election,” Mr. Schiavi said in a statement to The Times. “I thank my supporters for their vote of confidence in me and for the help from countless volunteers. I am committed to being a strong advocate in the State House to ensure that the Cape and Islands are well represented with a strong and loud voice for the issues we face today and tomorrow. I am more confident than ever that we have what it takes to claim another victory on November 8th.”
In the congressional race, Mark C. Alliegro beat Thomas O’Malley, 13,024 to 6,258, and will challenge Democrat Bill Keating, who ran unopposed, in November.
State representative
Five Democratic and no Republican candidates appeared on the Sept. 8 primary ballot for the job of state representative, now held by Timothy Madden of Nantucket. The winner will face off against Jacob N. Ferry of West Tisbury and Tobias B. Glidden of Nantucket, who are running as Independents.
Dylan Fernandes (D) of Falmouth, who most recently worked as digital director in the office of Attorney General Maura Healey, claimed victory on the strength of the mainland vote and strong islands support, which spelled the difference between a first- or second-place finish.
In the aftermath of his victory, on Friday Mr. Fernandes returned to the campaign trail, knocking on Island doors. “I am humbled by the support we received from across the Vineyard,” Mr. Fernandes said in a statement to The Times. “I love the Vineyard and have knocked on over 2,000 doors on the Island to speak with folks in their living rooms and porches about the issues and challenges facing the Island. If elected, I will be an unwavering advocate for the six towns in the State House.”
Local Vineyard candidate T. Ewell Hopkins (D), president of the Martha’s Vineyard Democratic Council, and a member of the Oak Bluffs planning board, could not parlay Island support into a victory. The unofficial tally was 3,380 votes for Fernandes and 2,450 for Hopkins. The margin of victory for Mr. Fernandes was 930 votes. A total of 1,252 Islanders cast votes for Mr. Fernandes.
“Focusing on election results is a distraction,” Mr. Hopkins said in a statement emailed to The Times. “What really matters are the significant challenges that our community is facing: the environment, housing, the Steamship Authority, and overcoming our differences so we speak with one voice and the state can hear it.”
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