14-04-2025
Who's running for political office in Fall River so far? City's 2025 election takes shape.
FALL RIVER — In past election years in Fall River, the day to declare one's intent to run for municipal office is usually a flurry of activity, with candidates making their way to the Office of Elections in Government Center in early morning to retrieve official nomination papers.
That day was Monday, April 7, and as of then, only one mayoral candidate had filed a statement of candidacy and requested nomination papers, joined by newcomers and incumbents vying for seats on the Fall River School Committee or the City Council.
The upcoming municipal election to determine these races will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
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Incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan has put in a bid for his fourth term, but has yet to officially launch a campaign.
According to a search of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance records, Coogan has $49,675.67 in the bank as of April 1.
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Carlos Cesar, the former president of the Flint Neighborhood Association, announced his intentions to run for mayor against Coogan in two Facebook posts dated Jan. 28. In them, he shared with the Portuguese- and English-speaking community that his campaign would rally for public safety, making living in Fall River affordable, and increasing safety and funding for the city's schools. OCPF records show Cesar has a campaign account of $1,519.28.
Thursday, July 17, by 5 p.m. is the final opportunity to request nomination papers, or 48 hours before the deadline to return them on July 19. On that Saturday, the Elections Department will observe special hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City Council Vice President Linda Pereira and City Councilors Paul Hart and Andrew J. Raposo have pulled papers to seek a new term.
Newcomer Laura Pacheco will join those seeking re-election. On Facebook, a page dedicated to her run for municipal office that announces, 'I am running for city council with a fresh perspective and a strong desire to serve the community.'
Nathan Silvia, whose community service has garnered him and his partner, Christopher, a large following on social media, announced his running for the City Council with the promise, 'I'm ready to work for you.'
City Councilor Laura-Jean Sampson announced in a Facebook post dated April 9 that will not be in the running this election and explained the decision as 'the best option for my family and the city that I love.'
She has not returned a request for further comment.
Only two are in the running for a seat on the School Committee. School board member Collin Dias is seeking a new, full term.
Dias has been a member of the School Committee since June 2024; he lost the 2023 school board election, but after the abrupt resignation of former member Sara Rodrigues, he was called to fill the vacancy as the candidate who had the next-highest number of votes.
As of April 7, Randy Scott Dudek is the only other candidate who has sought nomination in a race for a seat on the School Committee.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River 2025 city election: Who is running for political office
