New Bedford School Committee Member John Oliveira pulls papers for mayor

Current New Bedford School Committee member John Oliveira has pulled nomination papers with the intent to run for mayor. He has until 5pm on August 30 to turn in at 50 valid signatures to be officially placed on the October 1st primary ballot.

Mr. Oliveira has had some public confrontations with Mayor Mitchell and New Bedford previous Superintendent of Schools Pia Durkin. In November of 2017, he was served with a no-trespass order and ordered to stay off all New Bedford school properties after incidents with Pia Durkin. In January of 2018, the New Bedford School Committee in a 6-1 vote issued a more restrictive no-trespass order against Mr. Oliveira. He was the lone no vote.

Veteran candidate Michael Janson, Russell Dearing, Iean Morgan, and David Pimentel have also pulled nomination papers with the intention to run for Mayor.

Current New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell has yet to pull papers, but he usually pulls them as the deadline draws near. He has yet to confirm his intention to run for re-election.

This will be New Bedford first ever 4-year mayor term as voters approved the move from two years in 2017.