Republicans Nominate Election Commissioner

Valuing continuity, integrity and energy, Cambridge Republicans last night voted to replace outgoing Election Commissioner Edward J. Samp Jr. with one of his neighbors.

In the second ballot, Wayne "Rusty" Drugan Jr., treasurer of the Republican city committee, a Rhodes scholar and a resident of Cambridge's 7th ward, where Samp also lives, defeated four other challengers to gain the committee's top endorsement.

"In this election, we've all been buffeted by cross-currents. We've got friendships and loyalties," Drugan said. "A lot of us are grateful that there is a secret ballot."

According to David L.K. Trumbull, chair of the Cambridge Republican City Committee, Republicans will send a list of their top three choices to City Manager Robert W. Healy, who will select one of the three.

While Healy is not bound to select the first choice, the city manager has traditionally honored the wishes of the party, Trumbull said.

"I'm a Republican. I have not got any affiliation to any other groups than this one," Drugan said. "I believe I've demonstrated care and commitment to the committee."

In a letter distributed to the city committee, Drugan said he will work to determine the feasibility of computerizing the counts of municipal election returns.

"The decision to computerize should be a matter for public comment and debate," Drugan said. "Public support for the decision will involve leadership and education from the Commission, but also careful listening by the Commissioners to the issues and concerns of the Cambridge citizenry."

Republicans selected Arthur L. Malenfant, chair of the 5th ward's Republican committee, as their second choice. Later, they chose Paul DeLeo, an election warden, as their third nominee.

During the two-hour meeting, Trumbull came under fire by committee members for his parliamentary rulings.

Some complained when Trumbull allowed DeLeo to remove himself from consideration for the top spot but remain in contention for the second position.

"The redistribution of these ballots might be different," said City Committee Member Sandra Huds. "It could change the vote."

Other Business

In addition to nominating a new election commissioner, the city committee honored Samp for his many years of service to the Election Commission.

"It's been great to have this ride for 35 years," Samp said.

Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72, a Democrat, stopped by the meeting at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall to present a proclamation in Samp's honor.

"Among us, there are certain of us who have given much of their services to the city to make it better," Reeves said.

The Republicans also heard from Jeremiah Cole, a Cambridge resident who is organizing a statewide effort to "draft" Colin L. Powell, former chair of the joint chiefs of staff, to run as a Republican for president in 1996.

Cole said Republicans should support Powell because he is an individual "who would cast credibility on our country, who could be a unifying leader and who we should see in this race."