PORTLAND — Voters Tuesday elected Edward Bryan to the School Committee, representing the West End and Parkside.

Incumbent City Councilor Kevin Donoghue was re-elected to a second term representing District 1, defeating Charles Bragdon 2,625 to 1,364.

Bryan defeated Anthony Zeli 2,294 to 1,792 in unofficial results released Tuesday night.

In other School Committee races, at-large incumbent Sarah Thompson was re-elected for a three-year term and Jenna Vendil took the District 1 seat in an uncontested race to represent the East End and the islands. She replaces Rebecca Minnick.

Bryan, 44, said Tuesday night that he was excited to win. He said he was grateful Zeli was in the District 2 race because it gave people a choice.

“I’m thrilled that I’m going to get to do what I wanted to do, which is serve on the School Committee,” said Bryan, who replaces Robert O’Brien. O’Brien decided not to run for a second term on the committee.

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An active Reiche School parent, Bryan lives in the West End with his wife Suzanne and their two children. He said during the campaign that one of his goals is to address issues with school facilities. He also said he’d like to work to see Portland’s schools work more collaboratively.

Bryan runs a company that specializes in finance and budget reporting for municipalities and school systems. He is also involved in the West End Neighborhood Association.

Thompson, 39, is finishing her first term on the school board. She led the School Committee Personnel Committee, which earlier this year headed the search that resulted in the hiring of Superintendent James C. Morse Sr.

Vendil, 25, is a community organizer who serves as the field organizer for the League of Young Voters. She is a graduate of Bates College.

Donoghue, 30, is a Munjoy Hill resident who is finishing his first term on the City Council. He said Tuesday night that he found it gratifying there was broad support for the issues he has been working for and continues to push.

“There is more important policy work to do for affordable housing, transportation, community planning and development and the planning process,” said Donoghue, who works as a conference coordinator for The Spectrum Cos.

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Donoghue said one of his goals during his second council term is to improve roads, sidewalks and Peppermint Park in the East Bayside neighborhood, through Community Development Block Grant funding.

In uncontested City Council races, Councilor David Marshall was re-elected to a second term in District 2, which includes the West End and Parkside. At-large Councilor Nick Mavodones was re-elected to a fifth term.

Water District

Kenneth Levinsky topped Oliver Outerbridge 13,041 to 6,972 to win a one-year term on the Portland Water District Board of Trustees. He replaces Matt Sinclair, who moved out of the city earlier this year. 

Levinsky, 56, is an education technician at Windham High School and a freelance sports writer for The Forecaster.

Peaks Island Council

Four island residents ran uncontested for the Peaks Island Council. Thomas Bohan and Suellen Roberts were elected to one-year terms. Ruth Heller and Marjorie Phyfe were elected to three-year terms.

Kate Bucklin can be reached at 781-3661ext. 106 or  kbucklin@theforecaster.net

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