Freeport elected Joanna Benoit, Eric Smith and Matthew Pillsbury to the Town Council and Cheyenne Farrell and Carolyn Jensen to the Regional School Unit 5 School Board in Tuesday’s election, according to unofficial results.
Joanna Benoit. Courtesy photo
Benoit was elected to the councilor at-large seat for a three-year term with 2,776 votes, far topping her opponent, Tais De Los Reyes. Benoit, 33, has worked as a grant project director for the state since 2021. Although she has never held a position in politics, she has experience in community and grassroots organizing.
“I am incredibly humbled by the results and the faith that Freeport showed in me yesterday,” Benoit said of her election to Town Council. “I absolutely love this town, and I can’t wait to get to work representing our entire community’s best interests.”
Eric Smith will serve as the new councilor for District 2 and Matthew Pillsbury for District 3, also for three-year terms. Smith received 591 votes to Pillsbury’s 521.
Matthew Pillsbury. Courtesy photo
Pillsbury, 45, has served as District 3 councilor since 2021. He identified creating a more comprehensive housing plan, including both above-market and subsidized options, to be responsibly implemented in the town of Freeport as a continued goal of his on the council. An employee of the Roux Institute in Portland, he is married with two children.
“I’m incredibly grateful for all of the support I received through this election cycle and for the chance to serve my town for the next three years,” Pillsbury said this morning. “I’m optimistic that we can continue to build on the work of the current council and keep moving Freeport forward.”
In the school board race, Cheyenne Farrell and Carolyn Jensen ran unopposed.
Cheyenne Farrell. Courtesy photo
“I’m very excited to be a part of the board and continue the good work they have already done,” Farrell said. “I will contribute the perspective and knowledge of a former teacher. Looking forward to being part of the continued success and positive development of the students at RSU 5.”
Jensen also hopes to bring her prior experience to the board.
“I am so grateful and excited to join the RSU 5 School Board,” she said. “I will bring my experience as an accountant and financial analyst to solve problems collaboratively, implementing creative and compassionate solutions to provide the needed resources to best serve the interests of the students of RSU 5.”
Farrell and Jensen will also serve three-year terms.
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