February 17, 2026 By Carol Britton Meyer
There’s a possible school committee race for the May 2 town election.
Incumbent school committee member Jennifer Benham has pulled nomination papers for re-election. Henry Randolph Buckley and Nina Villanova have also taken out papers for school committee. So far, Michelle Ayer has not pulled papers for re-election.
If Benham, Buckley, and Villanova all return their papers with the required number of signatures and they are certified by the town clerk, there would be a three-way race for two seats.
The following incumbents with terms expiring this year had pulled nomination papers as of Feb. 17:
- Select Board Chair William Ramsey
- Town Moderator Michael Puzo
- planning board member Gary Tondorf-Dick
- board of health member Elizabeth Eldredge
- Joseph Fisher, a former select board member who was elected to the sewer commission in the 2025 town election, municipal light board. Incumbent Tyler Harrold has not pulled papers so far.
- Recreation Commissioner Matt LeBretton
- Sewer Commissioner Richard Eisen
- board of assessors member Randall Winters
Nomination papers are available in the town clerk’s office. The deadline for returning completed papers is Friday, March 13.
The following incumbents have terms expiring this year:
- Moderator (one-year term) – Michael Puzo
- Select Board (three-year term) – William Ramsey
- Board of Assessors (three-year term) –Randy Winters
- Board of Health (three-year term) – Elizabeth Eldredge
- Municipal Light Board (three-year term) –Tyler Harrold
- School Committee (three-year term) –Michelle Ayer, Jennifer Benham
- Planning Board (five-year term) – Gary Tondorf-Dick
- Sewer Commissioner (three-year term) – Richard Eisen
- Recreation Commission (five-year term) – Matt LeBretton
Candidates for local office must be at least 18 years of age and be a registered voter in the Town of Hingham. Each candidate is expected to file with the town clerk, prior to obtaining blank nomination papers, a statement containing the individual’s name, address, and the town office for which the individual intends to be a candidate.
Candidates must obtain the signatures of at least 50 registered voters in the Town of Hingham on their nomination papers. However, it is recommended that they obtain 75 signatures.
Stay tuned for updates.