The four candidates for Swampscott’s Select Board stand on Essex Street as cars turn into the high school and park to go into the election polling site.

Swampscott’s local election is on Tuesday, April 28 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Swampscott High School. Residents are electing candidates to a variety of positions, from the Select Board and School Committee to Town Moderator and Town Meeting Members.

“What a beautiful day for democracy,” said candidate Wayne Godfrey.

There are two open positions for three-year Select Board terms. In alphabetical order, Ted Dooley, Wayne Godfrey, Charlie Patsios and Wayne Spritz are in the only contested race in Swampscott’s election this year.

“I’m glad we all took the community unity pledge,” Patsios said. “It means that we’re all willing to work together.”

The candidates had also pledged to keep the debate on April 15, hosted by the Swampscott Tides, respectful and positive.

Dooley moved to Swampscott in 2019 and has served on the Planning Board since 2021. He graduated from Boston College, where he is currently completing his Masters of Business Administration. In 2022, he received a public leadership credential from the  Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

“I feel great. It’s good energy, beautiful weather. You can’t get better than that,” Dooley said. “You see exactly what you’re going to get when you vote local elections: responsive, immediate reactions to when people get elected into the decisions that they make.”

Godfrey is a Massachusetts native who became involved in policy during his time at SUNY Oneonta. He is a licensed real estate agent and manages a large department retail store. He is a Town Meeting member and an outreach coordinator for the Swampscott Democratic Town Committee.

“I’m a super voter. I haven’t missed an election since I was able to vote,” Godfrey said. “We all seem to really appreciate each other. It’s heart warming to see the amount of love for the town and recognize that these four guys with divergent backgrounds, and certainly divergent politics, really have a vision for the town.”

Patsios moved to Swampscott in 1990 and has had two children graduate from Swampscott High School. He serves as the chair of the Housing Authority, as one of the Board of Assessors and on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. He also created the 501c3 Swampscott Housing Development Corporation. 

“In this particular case (for the election), the good is coming out first. No matter who wins, I have hope for the future,” Patsios said. “All politics are local. Tip O’Neill said that.”

Spritz has lived in Swampscott for 26 years, where he raised his family. He has worked as a mechanical engineer for 30 years. He serves as the chair of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and is a member of Save King’s Beach. 

“I’m proud of this campaign, and I’m proud of the other candidates with how we’ve been respectful for each other,” Spritz said. “Democracy at its finest is really coming out and voting in your local election.”