The speculation in New Bedford of a special election to replace Mayor Mitchell has clouded the reality that there's an open seat on the city council this year.
New Bedford has a tradition of re-electing incumbent politicians in good times and bad. Most incumbents in the U.S. get re-elected, but New Bedford is special.
There will be a new New Bedford at-large council member elected next year. Long-time councilor Deb Coelho is retiring and that means a new councilor in 2021.
The two leaders in this budget session are veteran City Councilor Linda Morad and City Councilor Maria Giesta, a relative newcomer to the local legislature.
New Bedford is like many of the small cities in America, facing the financial fallout from COVID-19. The mayor has a plan. Some councilors have a plan, too.