Most Johnston Candidates Make Ballot

Following last Friday's deadline for signatures, two of 11 candidates in contested races in Johston failed to submit the 50 signatures needed to make the ballot this fall.

According to the Secretary of State's office, Democratic incumbent Mayor Joseph Polisena led all candidates with 373 signatures turned in to the board of canvassers office at . Republican challenger Peter Filippi III filed 80 signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Three Democratic candidates all gathered enough signatures to run for the Ward 1 seat on the town council: Incumbent Eileen Fuoco with 80; Edward Cardillo Jr., 61; and Paul Crowell III, 55.

Fuoco will lead the ballot in the September primary, ahead of Cardillo and Crowell, the Secretary of State's office reported.

Town Council hopefuls Democrat Joseph Comella and Independent Arnold Smith did not meet the signature qualifications, according to the Secretary of State's website.

Comella had filed to run in Ward 2 against Planning Board Chairman Anthony Verardo and Independent Melvin Steppo Jr., while Smith sought the Ward 4 seat against incumbent Democrat Council President Robert V. Russo and Republican Robert Matteo.

Council Vice President Stephanie Manzi (Ward 5) and Councilman David Santilli (Ward 3) met the signature threshhold to earn ballot spots in their unopposed races, as did school committee members Robert LaFazia (Dist. 1) and Joseph Rotella (Dist. 4).

Signature totals were not available at presstime for the state Senate Dist. 25 seat, currently held by Sen. Frank Lombardo III, or the vacant Dist. 22 seat which now includes part of Johnston.

Likewise, the Secretary of State's office had not posted signature tallies for candidates running in House Dist. 43 and 44, currently held by Reps. Deborah Fellela and Peter Petrarca, respectively.