Ross Grace, Jr. Is the Big New Bedford Election Story [OPINION]

Ross Grace, Jr. ran for the New Bedford School Committee and he almost won. In fact, he did win numerous precincts against a field of qualified incumbents.

Ross was a first-time candidate and he was running against three incumbents with great resumés and a strong following with the voters. He had an uphill battle from the beginning, but he conducted himself as a gentleman and the voters gave him one of the best results a challenger candidate has ever had in an election.

The voters are what matters in an election. After the election, the talk doesn't matter. The voters, each with their own hopes, dreams, and disappointments about life have recorded their choices. Looking at the voter's selections in elections gives us a glimpse into their mindset and future elections.

Ross Grace, Jr. has a tremendous future in electoral politics in his hometown.

Grace came in first place in five of the 36 precincts in the city. The five precincts he won were in three different wards. He came in second place in three precincts in Ward 4. He came in third place in two precincts in two different wards. He won the total vote in Ward 4.

This first-time candidate beat all or some of the incumbents in 10 precincts and one entire ward. It is crucial to understand he did this in a race against three incumbents who all deserved to be re-elected based on their experience and dedication to the job as members of the school committee. Grace didn't attack the others in the field; he simply put himself out there as an equally qualified option.

Should there be an opening on the school committee, the city would be wise to ask Ross Grace, Jr. to step into the void.

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.