Tight race for at-large city council race

In the race for Longmont’s at-large city council seat, former councilor Sean McCoy held a slim lead over his nearest competitor, Mitzi Nicoletti, Tuesday night..

McCoy collected just over 36% of the vote with Nicoletti claiming over 34%. Gary Hodges was in third with over 29% of the vote. More vote totals are scheduled to be posted by the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder shortly after 11 p.m.

Nicoletti, McCoy and Hodges were seeking the seat vacated last year by Joan Peck, who won her bid to become mayor. The council declined to appoint someone to fill Peck’s position or to ask voters earlier this year to pick a successor, citing the high cost of putting on an election before November.

McCoy ran unsuccessfully for city council last year. He was a city council member from 2007 to 2011 and fought for many issues throughout his term including affordable housing and the right for the public to speak at council meetings, according to his website.

He also served on multiple boards and commissions prior to serving on the city council including the Housing and Human Services Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Longmont Police Standards board and on the Boulder County Open Space commission.

Nicoletti served as board member for Sustainable Resilient Longmont and chaired the SRL Renewable Energy Committee, according to her campaign website.  She also is a co-founder and member of the Longmont Climate Community.

 She has served as a Board Member of the Longmont Art Walk, Longmont Downtown Association and the local Girl Scouts, according to her website.

Nicoletti co-founded WCW, or Women Chocolate and Wine, which focused on helping local women business owners network and build a community. It grew to over 500 members, the website states.

She said she wants to connect people and groups to build more affordable housing and produce environmental sustainability.

Nicoletti was endorsed by Peck and State Rep. Tracey Bernett. Bernett last week was  charged with attempting to influence a public servant, forgery and residence-false information, all felonies, along with misdemeanor perjury and procuring false registration, according to a release from the district attorney’s office.

Bernett, however, appeared to have won her re-election bid Tuesday night.