Sutton Democratic Town Committee

05/30/2026

UPDATE from the convention: it was a long day of doing democracy! RESULTS: both Markey and Moulton passed the 15% threshold to be on the primary ballot, with Moulton at 26% and Markey at 74%. Markey got over the vote threshold to get the party endorsement. With both getting enough delegate support to be on the ballot, it's up to the voters now! Registered Democrats can vote your choice for Senate--Markey or Moulton--in the upcoming primary. If there's enough interest, the DTC will have the candidates, or someone from their campaign, visit Sutton so you can hear more. Sound off below and let us know if this is something we should plan for. And HUGE THANKS to our SUTTON DELEGATES who made sure that our town's voice was present and counted for in 2026!

05/29/2026

Hello from your Sutton delegation… Question for you: MARKEY or MOULTON?

It’s day 1 of the MA Democratic State Convention and Sutton is in the house, here to be a voice for our town’s needs. The big question of the day is…who should be our Senate nominee: Moulton, or Markey? Please let us know what you think, and why. We’re all still undecided! We will vote tomorrow and would love to know your thoughts, as we represent all of you.

05/28/2026

Anyone else getting excited for this?

05/27/2026

The DTC would like to congratulate Sutton’s newly elected officials and thank every candidate who stepped forward to serve the community.

A total of 1,093 residents voted in this year’s town election, representing roughly 15% turnout among registered voters.

The DTC looks forward to working with Sutton’s newly elected officials as the town faces important and often difficult decisions in the years ahead. Sutton will need thoughtful leadership, broader civic participation, and a willingness to work across differences to meet the moment constructively.

Final results:

Select Board: Christine M. Watkins — 831 (elected)
Select Board: Daniel Spengler — 501 (elected)
Select Board: Russell C. Longendorfer — 452

School Committee (3-year): Christopher M. Matera — 639 (elected)
School Committee (3-year): Erika M. Osbourne — 435

School Committee (1-year): Patrick M. Royce — 820 (elected)

Planning Board: Michael F. Gagan — 804 (elected)

Library Trustee: Sharon M. McCann Kling — 820 (elected)

Housing Authority (5-year): Mark S. Bailey — 918 (elected)

Housing Authority (1-year): Daniel J. Lessard — 822 (elected)

05/24/2026

DTC ENDORSES DEMOCRATIC & INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

Select Board, 3-year term

Russell Longendorfer brings intellect, fresh thinking, and an ability to communicate simply and warmly — a skill honed through years in frontline health care, including as a first responder during Covid. We believe Russell will serve as an important bridge to the community: someone who can translate complicated ideas, deliver honest assessments, and approach difficult decisions with empathy and fairness, especially when they affect Sutton’s more vulnerable residents, from seniors to sophomores.

Christine Watkins is an independent whose extensive volunteer work across town boards and committees — including HPP, the Historical Society, and her first year on Select Board — has made her a standout. She is an incredibly hard worker and a uniquely valuable asset to Sutton, and we believe her continued service is vital.

School Committee, 3-year term

Erika Osbourne is a sleeves-up candidate who has done the quiet work of attending every School Committee meeting for the last six years. As the town faces increasing difficulty balancing budgets and lowering the temperature between stakeholders, Erika brings the professional skill set of a social worker — conflict mediation, crisis management, and the disciplined practice of guiding high-stakes conversations toward resolution. These are the rooms most people avoid; she has spent her career in them. The combination of professional expertise and personal stake as a parent brings balance on several levels, making her voice essential in building forward-thinking, functional solutions for the entire community.

METHODOLOGY

We’ve endorsed a slate of Democratic and Independent candidates who we believe will be effective individually and as members of the boards they’ll join.

Town boards function best with a balance of philosophy, experience, background, and skills. Some have lacked that balance of thought and perspective, and we look forward to a more balanced approach as Sutton faces difficult decisions that will require experience, fresh thinking, and the ability to connect with the whole community.

Thank you all for your time, your curiosity, and your trust. Vote this week! Election Day is Tuesday May 26 and you can vote at Sutton MS/HS (Precincts 1 & 3) and Manchaug Fire Station (Precinct 2).

More, including a link to the full Candidate Forum Video, at www.suttondemocrats.com and https://www.suttonvotes.com/

05/21/2026

See the questions, now live on suttonvotes.com. TONIGHT is the night!

https://www.suttonvotes.com/

Join the 2026 Sutton Town Election Candidate Forum on May 21 to meet contenders for School Committee and Select Board. Participate in the transparent, non-partisan event or watch online.

05/19/2026

After the Sutton High School students' candidate profiles--which you clearly loved--many of you have been asking for even more. This Thursday, MEET THE CANDIDATES, HEAR THE IDEAS. The Sutton Democratic Town Committee is hosting the second annual Non-Partisan Candidate Forum, and we are thrilled to welcome Stephanie Collins Sullivan, Chair of the Sutton Cultural Council, as our moderator. Stephanie brings exactly the thoughtfulness and community spirit this evening calls for as we welcome a strong and diverse slate of candidates. Join us.

More info:

Join the 2026 Sutton Town Election Candidate Forum on May 21 to meet contenders for School Committee and Select Board. Participate in the transparent, non-partisan event or watch online.

05/15/2026

Sutton residents, TLDR - This isn't pro-development, it's protection from worse development.

Ignoring the problem as we have since the 40B law passed in 1969 is no longer an option. Developers are coming for our land, and we have only one way to control it. If you want to keep Sutton Sutton, you need to understand the law, what's at stake, and participate. They will not read your Facebook comments--you have to show up.

The Planning Board's proposed Smart Growth Overlay District is ready for public input, and this is the one to show up for.

Here's the thing. If we don't act, we don't get to choose. Under Chapter 40B, developers can bypass local zoning entirely once we fall short of state affordable housing requirements--and at our current pace, getting there through developments like Burbank Woods would require over 1,200 units across more than 1,200 acres.

The Smart Growth alternative on the table, done right, gets us to our affordable housing numbers and puts us in control of our own zoning--for good.

Come learn about it, ask questions, and weigh in. Love it, hate it--this is the time to speak up.

Tuesday, May 19 | 6:00pm | Sutton Town Hall, 4 Uxbridge Road, 3rd floor

Zoom and live stream available. Get details and draft materials through the link in the comments.

05/01/2026

Hey all, news about the 2026 Candidate Forum is coming soon! Stay tuned!

04/06/2026

Unified TIF update is on Tuesday’s Select Board agenda. To attend—6pm Town Hall, or on Zoom