Fastest Mayoral Campaign in New Bedford History [OPINION]

Jeffrey Pelletier opened and closed his campaign for the top job in New Bedford city government so fast he made history. He was in and he was out—in a day.

Jeff Pelletier could have a bright future in New Bedford politics and beyond. But he has decided to pass on running for mayor of the Whaling City this year. It is early in the 2019 political season and he could decide to run for the city council or another elected position in city government.

Pelletier is in his early thirties and currently serves as the President of Junior Achievement of Southeastern Massachusetts. According to his biography at JA, he previously worked as a Business Development and Communications Officer for the New Bedford Economic Development Commission.

"Pelletier also served as the Program Director for Executives Without Borders, a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging the business community in solving the world's greatest humanitarian challenges," his bio reads. "In Haiti, he directed nationwide jobs and recycling program that collected over 35 million plastic bottles and generated over $250,000 in incomes for communities in need. In Honduras, he directed private sector engagement projects with a Fortune 500 company to increase the sustainability of the life-saving medical work of a local nonprofit."

He holds a degree in Business Administration from Methodist University in North Carolina and is also a graduate of Leadership SouthCoast. He is active in local civic and charitable organizations and he earned the SouthCoast Emerging Leader Award in 2018.

According to the public records reviewed by this writer, Pelletier opened and closed his campaign for mayor on the same day: December 19, 2018. He listed himself as a Democrat living at 57 Arnold St. in New Bedford. His campaign treasurer was Matthew Pelletier in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He raised and spent no money in the short life of his campaign.

Jeff Pelletier has been seriously discussed as a political candidate by the people I trust and rely on for real-world political information. This quick start and stop won't have a negative impact on his political future, and he may have dodged a bullet.

It appears to me that Mayor Jon Mitchell will run for re-election, and at this point, he is the odds-on favorite to win a four-year term in the corner office. Mayor Mitchell has $190,000 in his campaign treasury and the ability to double that if necessary.

Jeff Pelletier won't be the next Mayor of New Bedford, but he is doing important things now and he is worth watching and listening to.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.