Sean Dunne Next Mayor of Portsmouth?
Sean Dunne appears poised to be the next mayor of Portsmouth. The mayor of Portsmouth is not directly elected by the people. City Council elects the mayor. The general election, this fall, will decide two seats on the Portsmouth City Council. A quick analysis of what could potentially lead to Dunne’s appointment as mayor follows.
The first race is in the Third Ward. A vacancy has occurred in this seat due to the retirement of the current mayor, Kevin E. Johnson. Gary Jenkins and Andy Cole will be on the ballot. In the Fifth Ward, only Joey Sandlin will be on the ballot. A blank line will appear, however. Anybody who would like to write in Edwin Martell may do so on that blank line. He is up for re-election after being appointed by the council. His listing was prevented because he missed deadlines. That is a topic for another day.
In the event Jenkins and Sandlin win, they are unlikely to vote for Dunne. That leaves Dennis Packard, Charlotte Gordon, and Lyvette Mosley that could outvote them. In the case of a Cole or Martell victory, Dunne’s bid for Portsmouth mayor is most likely.
This situation contains a wild card. Since her first council meeting, Charlotte Gordon has demonstrated an ability to be outspoken, independent, and unpredictable with her comments and questions. In the end, most of her votes have sided with Dunne. The issue of keeping Sam Sutherland as city manager has been one where Gordon has been vocally opposed to Dunne.
Dunne would likely be stripped of a Gordon vote if he continues to disparage Sutherland’s performance. If they have personally reconciled that divide, Dennis Packard of Sciotoville would be the deciding vote. Then Sciotoville would have elected the Portsmouth mayor. However, if Gordon stands her ground, she has the potential to get the votes. This makes Gordon a “dark horse” contender for the position.
Considering all the scenarios and possible outcomes, it’s looking like Sean Dunne will be Portsmouth’s next mayor.