South Portland elects West, Matthews to City Council

Natalie West and Richard Matthews were the winners Tuesday in a four-way race for two at-large seats on the South Portland City Council.

West

West received 7,115 votes and Matthews 6,448, followed by Steven Silver with 4,264 and Brendan Williams with 3,375, according to unofficial results from the City Clerk’s office. Nearly 60% of the city’s registered voters cast ballots in the election.

“It feels like the real work is just beginning,” West said Wednesday.

She is “very grateful” to the people of South Portland, she said, and thankful to be joining a council that works well together.

“It’s also a realization that we’ve got some very thorny problems and no easy answers,” she said.

Matthews said Wednesday that it felt “awesome” to be elected to City Council.

West and Matthews agree that a lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues facing South Portland.

Matthews

West emphasized the council’s need to focus on providing housing to working, middle-class people who would like to live in South Portland.

“I’m intent on trying to look for land that’s available to be developed for housing,” West said. “I’m committed to open space, as well, but it’s a balancing process.”

Matthews said the council needs to figure out a collaborative way to address the housing crisis.

“We need to work together to come up with ways to help everybody out, and we need to be financially responsible and have all the communities and groups work together,” he said.

West has over 30 years of experience as an attorney for cities and local government agencies. Matthews is a former business owner and former South Portland school board member.

School Board

Rauscher

In Tuesday’s election for the school board’s District 1 seat, Susan Rauscher handily defeated Martha Riehle 6,427 to 3,906.

Rauscher, a former high school teacher who now works for Idexx, said Wednesday she was “very excited” to be elected to the school board, and recognizes that the biggest issue facing the city’s schools is making sure the students are provided for.

“We need to make sure everyone’s happy, healthy, and feels safe and can learn,” she said.

Rauscher will take the seat previously held by Jennifer Kirk, who did not seek reelection.