Alex Morse won reelection to a third term as mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts in a close and bitter contest.
Morse, first elected Holyoke mayor straight out of college at the age of 21, won a third two-year term with 53 percent of the vote defeating businessman Fran O’Connell, who put tens of thousands of dollars of his own money into the race.
" We sent a message loud and clear tonight that the mayor's office is not for sale," Morse said to thunderous applause and cheers at his election night victory party.
During the campaign Morse and O’Connell clashed over just about every issue, and Morse told reporters election night he felt under personal attack throughout the campaign.
O’Connell came to Morse’s party, the two quickly shook hands, and O’Connell refused to speak with reporters.
