ORANGE — Two former Selectboard members have regained seats on the governing body following decisive victories in their respective races in Monday’s election.
Alexandre Abade Schwanz notched 229 votes to defeat challenger Sean MacDonald, 160 votes, and write-in candidate Sandra Fawn Weinstein, 165 votes, while David Ames racked up 385 votes to best Denise Andrews, 120 votes, and George Hunt, 63 votes.
Schwanz was elected to the 22 months remaining on the term for the seat that was vacated by Mike Bates because of time constraints. Ames will complete the 10 months remaining on the term for the seat that Andrew Smith was elected to before stepping down to become assistant town clerk.
“I’m feeling great. I’m feeling grateful that people have once again put their faith in me,” Schwanz said on Tuesday following his victory. “I’m glad to once again have the chance to sit on the board and make a difference.”
He previously served a one-year term on the Selectboard in 2020, but declined to run for reelection after enrolling in Boston College Law School, where he graduated in 2024. He has been a trial attorney for the federal government for two years. He said he learned of his win when Smith called him on Monday night.
Schwanz, 30, mentioned he hopes to be sworn in before the Selectboard meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6.
Ames, 72, served one term on the Selectboard before declining to seek reelection about 10 years ago. He said he found out about his victory when Town Clerk Rachael Fortier called him and he was sworn in on Tuesday morning.
“I was very pleased,” he said on Tuesday. “I think I can provide a lot to the town, and as a Selectboard member, I’ll have that opportunity.”
Ames served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years and settled in Orange in 1987. He previously served as Orange’s community development director. He was also the first town administrator in Shutesbury and then Athol’s first-ever town manager.
A former Economic Development & Industrial Corporation member when the Randall Pond Industrial Park was established, Ames previously said he wants to recruit more industry to town “to take the tax burden off the citizens.”
According to election results from Fortier, 11.8% of the town’s 6,819 registered voters came to the polls.
