Salem Derby celebrates the election results with his supporters, including his family. He is now the new mayor of Easthampton.
Reminder Publishing photos by Ryan Feyre
EASTHAMPTON — After almost four months serving at the city’s helm, Salem Derby can officially drop the “interim” label: the 22-year City Council veteran is now the new mayor of Easthampton.
Under the newly minted ranked choice voting system, where voters were invited to rank the three candidates on the ballot by preference, Derby won round one by securing 40% of the vote, according to unofficial results. Meanwhile, Lindsi Sekula garnered 34% of the vote and Jason Tirrell finished with 26% of the vote.
Because Tirrell finished third in that round, he was officially eliminated, setting up a showdown between Sekula and Derby in round two of the ranked choice voting process.
After some waiting around, results became official just before 10 p.m.: Derby had secured 2,771 votes to Sekula’s 2,171 in round two, thus putting a bow on the night.
“I knew after being a city councilor for 22 years that being mayor was probably in the cards, but I did not know that being mayor was in the cards for 2025,” Derby, donning a “mayor” fedora, said following the win. “So, this is a beautiful surprise for me, and I’m really hoping it’s going to be a beautiful surprise for Easthampton.”
Derby’s most ardent supporters gathered at New City Brewery on election night to witness a jubilant outcome for what will be the city’s fourth mayor in its history. The more results poured in, the more hugs the new mayor Derby gifted his wife and child. Despite entering the race the latest, Derby believes he won because of his resourcefulness and ability to put the work in himself.
He described his campaign, which was first conceived at a block party this past summer, as grassroots, noting that he never received outside donors throughout his crusade.
“I think people can recognize when someone is being real [and] when someone is being authentic,” said Derby, when asked what contributed to his victory. “I’m ready to take Easthampton to a place where we can accomplish more with less. And that’s what we need from leaders, people that can be resourceful, people that can use the resources they have to the most, to the maximum.”
Derby officially became interim mayor of Easthampton in July following the resignation of Mayor Nicole LaChapelle. At the time, he told Reminder Publishing that he was not interested in running for mayor this fall, but that all changed when he realized his skillset and experience were pertinent to the position.
An Easthampton city councilor of 22 years, and a president of the body at a point this year, Derby is a third-generation teacher who has taught physical education and wellness at Northampton High School for two decades. Prior to that, he worked at Hampshire Educational Collaborative, where he led multiple grant programs as a project director.
The new mayor emphasized his “boots-on-the-ground” approach throughout his campaign, noting in prior interviews that he intends to be openly communicative while making sure Easthampton becomes an “affordable, sustaining and thriving” place for everyone.
More specifically, he noted in his Q&A that he intends to expand housing options, support small businesses and invest in infrastructure and public spaces while being fiscally responsible.
He told Reminder Publishing following his win that he’s already learned so much during his time as the interim mayor.
“This isn’t a job where you can just come in and coast,” Derby said. “You’re going to have to put your nose to the grindstone. And that’s exactly the way I’ve approached this from day one, knowing that I needed to work hard for the city because that’s what the city deserves.”
Salem Derby celebrates the election results with his supporters, including his family. He is now the new mayor of Easthampton.
Reminder Publishing photos by Ryan Feyre
At Luthier’s Co-op on Cottage Street, Sekula — along with Easthampton city councilors, supporters, friends and family — held out hope that the mayoral executive assistant would garner enough votes to win round two of the race.
Despite coming up just short, Sekula described her performance in the race as a “win” in itself.
“I’m proud of myself. There’s nothing else I could have done differently, and I am forever thankful for the overwhelming amount of support I did get,” Sekula said. “I worked really hard over the last eight months to be a part of this race and congratulations to my opponents and again thanks to all my supporters.”
Sekula announced her bid for mayor in June after serving as LaChapelle’s executive assistant for seven years. When LaChapelle announced she was stepping down, Sekula’s mindset shifted to Easthampton’s helm in part because of her love for her community and also because she felt she was capable of filling the role.
Her campaign focused on investing more in the city and developing a master plan “that not only addresses our immediate needs, like infrastructure, schools, and economic development, but also sets us up for long-term success.“
She told Reminder Publishing after the results came in that she was happy about the high voter turnout. According to the city website, 5,804 votes were cast in the first round of the ranked choice voting process.
“It feels amazing to be a part of a historic race, and we all did our best and the people spoke,” Sekula said.
Although the outcome did not swing in her favor, Sekula indicated that it will be business as usual; she plans to continue in her role as executive assistant to the mayor.
“Nothing changes,” she stated. “Monday morning, I’m going to the office. I’m there to support Mayor Derby in his leadership moving forward, and I will stay just as involved in the community as I have been. I will still be at our kids’ sports games, I will still be out in the businesses, supporting everyone. I’m here, I’m not going anywhere.”
Tirrell, meanwhile, said his campaign was about community, unity and change. An at large city councilor and lifelong Easthampton resident, Tirrell’s campaign focused on infrastructure, the growing senior population and their needs, and veterans’ services.
His slogan of “No Labels-Just Leadership” embodied his desire to bring common ground to the city, noting multiple times in interviews that he wanted to be as openly communicative as possible when people had issues relating to what’s going on in the community.
“I am proud of the values we stood for,” Tirrell said to Reminder Publishing, following the results. “The outcome was not in our favor — but we sent a resounding message to city leadership that Easthampton is looking for more than just partisan labels and divisive political rhetoric.”
He added that he believes all residents want a transparent, accountable, and accessible government where all opinions are welcome.
“Easthampton is a special place,” he said. “I am truly humbled and grateful for the support I received, and I encourage my supporters to speak up and stay engaged in advocating for the community we all love.”
Per the city’s charter, Derby can be sworn in as the mayor before January since he was already serving in the interim role.
