In the special election held in Cambridge on June 6, citizens of Wards 1 and 5 chose new city council representatives. One is a familiar face — Brian Roche of Ward 5 — while the other is a fresh one — Laurel Atkiss of Ward 1.

Some would consider Atkiss’s victory over Chad Malkus 53.35% to 46.65% to be an upset, since Malkus has been the commissioner from Ward 5 for the last two years. Malkus relocated his residence to Ward 1 way back in February 2022, a move that had some people calling for him to resign from his seat.

“I am very honored to have been chosen to represent Ward 1 on the Cambridge City Council in this special election!” Atkiss wrote in a text. “I am extremely grateful for all of the support that I had during the campaign and for the confidence that the voters in my Ward have in me. I am excited to have the opportunity to do great things for great people and I truly look forward to serving our community in my new role as City Commissioner.”

Born in Cumberland, Atkiss has lived in Cambridge for 10 years and Ward 1 for three. She is a former business owner with experience in retail, tourism, the service industry, and nonprofits, among other things. Hoping to bring healthy progress to her Ward, she seeks revitalization to make safer neighborhoods, more involvement of residents in city government and activities, and positive futures for the youth of Cambridge.

The win of Brian Roche in Ward 5 was less surprising. He has been a popular representative for Ward 1, and he easily defeated his two opponents with 61.94% of the vote. Former Mayor Cleveland Rippons garnered 32.26% while Robert Aaron received only 5.81%. Roche moved his family out of Ward 1 in December, stating that the opportunity for a new home in Ward 5 was too good to pass up.

“I was a little disappointed in the voter turnout of 388 voters in Ward 1 and 154 in Ward 5 out of about 2,000 eligible in each Ward,” Roche said by text, “but of course I am pleased with the results of my re-election. I will do my best to fill the shoes of Commissioner Chad Malkus who worked so effectively and diligently for the last two years. I hope this council can continue to work as a team on the promising initiatives the current council set in motion for the future of Cambridge.”

Roche is a Cambridge native who graduated from Cambridge-South Dorchester High School and earned a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Swarthmore College. When not concentrating on his career in Internet technology with Bay Country Communications, he has served on various committees, including the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and Cambridge Historic Preservation Commission, and volunteered with Cambridge Main Street. He wants to work with local leaders on urban revitalization initiatives to make Cambridge a desirable place to live and work, as well as emphasize the unique history, culture, and economy.

According to Cambridge’s city charter, commissioners are required to maintain their residence in the ward that elected them to the council. If forced to move and unable to relocate within that ward right away, the commissioner must do so within 12 months.

When complaints were raised about Malkus's delay in returning to Ward 5, the commissioner blamed the tight real estate market for his inability to find a new home. At the time of his move, Roche gave no indication he would ever again reside in Ward 1.

At a Feb. 13 council work session, City Manager Tom Carroll said a special election was the only remedy for the situation. There was only a short window between the announcement of the election and the event itself, so the five candidates had just enough time to put out campaign signs, have a few gatherings, and participate in one debate.