Tracy Watson stood outside North Andover High School in the cold winds last week holding campaign signs. She was on a mission; to stay on the Board of Selectmen. Voter turnout was low, so it was anyone's game. But Watson managed to get the most votes out of all the selectmen candidates Tuesday night. "Absolute euphoria," Watson said about hearing she had won. "There were lots of hugs and cheers in my house Tuesday night!" Voter Validation The election also gave Watson a sense of validation for her first term. First elected to the Board in 2008, she served during the worst economic disaster …

Selectman Rick Nardella will not seek a recount in this week's shockingly close election, Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw said. In Tuesday's election, Don Stewart received 1,304 votes, 28.45 percent. Incumbent Nardella received 1,292 votes, 28.18 percent. Within seconds after the results were announced at North Andover High School, the crowd in the room was already speculating about a recount. There is no automatic recount in North Andover if elections are close. Candidates have to request them and gather 10 signatures for each of the town's eight precincts precinct they wish to have recounted. …

"I see who's coming out to vote, and I've got a good feeling about it," Don Stewart said as he stood with four supporters holding signs for his campaign outside North Andover High School. "But I'm keeping my lips shut." Stewart, 70, had reason to be optimistic -- a couple hours later he would win a seat on the Board of Selectmen, edging out incumbent Rick Nardella by a shocking 12 votes. Outside Looking In Stewart has lived in his entire life in North Andover. He was born in the same neighborhood in which he lives now. He and his wife Mary have been married for nearly 50 years and raised a …

Tuesday's election winners were supposed to be sworn in Wednesday evening, but that will have to wait. Town Clerk Joyce Bradshaw postponed the swearing-in ceremony because two of the races were so close. Don Stewart won a seat on the Board of Selectmen, edging out incumbent Rick Nardella by just 12 votes. Stewart received 1,304 votes, 28.45 percent. Incumbent Nardella received 1,292 votes, 28.18 percent. And in the race for Greater Lawrence Vocational Technical High School, Frank Rossi won with 1,047 votes -- just eight more votes than his opponent, Robert Bonenfant. No one has filed for a …

North Andover is reeling from Tuesday's election. A candidate who seemed like the underdog swept in and snatched victory, while the School Committee got a new member. Here are five things that grabbed our attention in this election. Razor Thin Comeback In the selectmen's race, Don Stewart shocked the town by edging out incumbent Rick Nardella by just 12 votes. Stewart received 1,304 votes, 28.45 percent. Nardella received 1,292 votes, 28.18 percent. Stewart, 70, is no stranger to town government. He served on the Board of Selectmen from 1991 to 2006. He lost his bid for re-election and then …

Education, spending, or just a particular candidate are some of the reasons that drew residents to the polls. 

The Election 2011 results are in, and they're shockingly close. Don Stewart, 70, won a seat on the Board of Selectmen, edging out incumbent Rick Nardella by just 12 votes. Stewart is no stranger to the Board -- he previously served on it for 15 years. Stewart received 1,304 votes, 28.45 percent. Incumbent Nardella received 1,292 votes, 28.18 percent. Late Tuesday afternoon, Stewart was cautiously optimistic, noting that the low voter turnout -- just over 1,700 at 4 p.m. -- was in his favor. And at that time, he pointed out that the people coming out to vote so far were largely the elderly and…

It's Election Day, and Patch is at North Andover High School and Town Hall keeping you updated throughout the evening. This election will decide who's on your Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Housing Authority and Greater Lawrence Regionsal Technical High School representative seat. So stay tuned, and keep checking this live blog for updates as the voting process unfolds and the results come in. ---- 8:30 p.m. Results are in, and the breaking news is posted! 8:00 p.m. Polls are closing. Stay tuned for results! 7:55 p.m. A lot of mixed predictions about the outcome. A few disappointed …

Election Day is upon us. Months of campaigning have come to an end, and North Andover's fate is in the hands of the voters now. Election analysis in a local election can be difficult for various reasons. There are no polls, except the straw polls of the Republican and Democratic parties which almost alays mean nothing (the fact that Tracy Watson did poorly in the Democratic straw poll and Don Watson did poorly in the Republican straw poll should surprise no one). There's almost never a "wave" -- a trend that can be seen to be sweeping across regions and states in a federal or state election, …

In an unexpected twist in an otherwise issue-focused local election, a campaign ad error in a local newspaper has set off a firestorm around town. Selectman Tracy Watson's re-election campaign placed an ad in the Valley Patriot -- a regional monthly publication -- earlier this month. The ad noted endorsements from the North Andover Firefighters Local 2035 union as well as the North Andover Police Union Local 2. But actually, neither union has endorsed Watson in this election. "In fact, we have not endorsed any incumbent candidate for this month’s election," Local 2035 spokesman Barry Sullivan…

Don Stewart wants your vote, and he wants to be your selectman again. Stewart, 70, isn't new to town government. He served on the Board of Selectmen for 15 years. He served as chairman of the Licensing Commission and is currently a member of the Commission on Disabilities and the Charter Review Committee. In this video, Stewart tells us why he thinks he would be suited to serve on the Board of Selectmen again.

Rick Nardella wants your vote next Tuesday. Nardella, 63, is an auditor/accountant who specializes in internal control -- bringing accountability and weeding out waste -- and says that has helped him serve the town as a fiscally responsible selectman. Nardella, who has lived i North Andover for 25 years, served on the Planning Board for 18 years before being elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2008. He is the selectmen's representative to the Route 125 Sewer Committee, which is tring to have sewer installed on Route 125 near Haverhill to foster commercial growth there. In this video, …

Tracy Watson is one of several candidates who will be on the ballot March 29. She's running for reelection as selectman, a seat she has held for three years. Watson, 42, has lived nearly her whole life in North Andover, graduating from North Andover High School in 1986 and Salem State College in 1991. She is married and has one son. And she has several years of experience in property management. In 2006, after the death of Housing Authority member Bill McEvoy, Watson was appointed by the selectmen to fill McEvoy's seat until the end of his term. But when she ran again after that term was up, …

Despite a rough 2010 election cycle, Democrats are marching forward at the federal, state and local levels. On Sunday, the North Andover Democratic Party hosted a scholarship breakfast fundraiser at the North Andover Country Club. Dozens of well-known Massachusetts political figures lined up for eggs, French toast and sausage links before speaking about issues they see affecting voters this year. Proceeds from the breakfast will go towards supporting a scholarship, which is annually awarded to a graduating senior at North Andover High School. The Treasurer Sings One surprise of the morning …

The League of Women Voters hosted a candidates' debate Wednesday night at the Senior Center, giving microphones and camera time to the various people seeking your vote on March 29. And it turned out to be a battle over how to balance the budget and what the purpose of a reserve fund is. There are two selectmen seats open and four candidates -- incumbents Rick Nardella and Tracy Watson and challengers Don Stewart and Joe Smith. Smith was ill and was unable to attend. A Dying Child? Questions for the selectmen candidates focused mostly on the town's budget, specifically on the fact that low tax…

March 29 is right around the corner, and candidates are gearing up for the campaign. This election promises to be an intriguing one, with two selectmen seats up for grabs, the School Committee chairman's seat up for grabs and municipal and school budgets in crisis with the down economy. Here are the open seats this year and the names of people who are running. * Denotes incumbent.   Board of Selectmen Seat Candidate Address Board of Selectmen, Three-Year Term *Rick Nardella 63 Hay Meadow Road Board of Selectmen, Three-Year Term *Tracy Watson 9 William St. Board of Selectmen, Three-Year Term …

North Andover's election season has begun. Here is a calendar of important dates in the town election process this year. Event Date Last Day to Obtain Nomination Papers Friday, Feb. 4 Last Day to Submit Nomination Papers to Board of Registrars Tuesday, Feb. 8 Last Day to File With town Clerk Tuesday, Feb. 22 Last Day to Object or Withdraw Thursday, Feb. 24 Last Day for Voter Registration Wednesday, March 9 Last Day to Post Warrant for Town Election Tuesday, March 22 Town Election Tuesday, March 29   Nomination papers and candidate information packets are available in the Town Clerk's Office …