By Debra Messick

CAMBRIDGE - At the conclusion of a townhall livestream vote count of the 2024 Cambridge General Election Saturday, Oct. 19, officials announced that a runoff election would be held Tuesday, December 3 to decide the next mayor of Cambridge.

Of the three candidates in the race, the top two, City Council President Lajan Cephas and former mayor Andrew Bradshaw, both received below 50 percent of the vote.

The four City Council races in contention decided on by voters--Ward 1, Brett Summers; Ward 2, Shay Lewis-Sisco; Ward 3, Frank Stout, and Ward 4, Sputty Cephas, who won reelection. Ward 5 Commissioner Brian Roche ran unopposed.

At 10:25 p.m., the vote totals were posted on the City of Cambridge Facebook page and website, www.choosecambridge.org. They will also be posted on the door of the polling venue at 447 Race Street in downtown Cambridge for at least 24 hours, according to Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson.

Vote totals:

Mayor: Lajan Cephas, 637 votes, 42.52 %; Andrew Bradshaw, 614 votes, 40.99%; La-Shon Foster, 247 votes, 16.49%.

Ward One Commissioner: Brett Summers, 293 votes, 54.56%; Laurel E. Atkiss, 244 votes, 45.44%.

Ward Two Commissioner: Shay Lewis-Sisco, 106 votes, 50.96%; Nancy C. Jackson, 66 votes, 31.73%; Jermaine Anderson, 20 votes, 9.62%; Jenna LeCompte, 16 votes, 7.69%.

Ward Three Commissioner: Frank Stout, 191 votes, 73.46%; Gary Gordy, 69 votes, 26.54%.

Ward Four Commissioner: Sputty Cephas, 144 votes, 54.14%; Dave Cannon, 122 votes, 45.86%.

Ward Five Commissioner: Brian Roche, 158 votes, 100%.