MARSHFIELD - May 2, 2026 - In a decisive mandate from voters, Rick Smith has been elected to the Marshfield Select Board, capturing over 70% of the total vote in a three-way race. With a 18.57% voter turnout, residents opted for Smith’s platform of “professional leadership” and fiscal expertise to navigate the town through its current $7.4 million budget deficit.
The Full Story
Following a campaign defined by intense debate over Marshfield’s financial health and administrative transparency, Rick Smith emerged as the clear winner Saturday night. Smith, who campaigned on his background in corporate finance and his experience as Chair of the Advisory Board, received 2,928 votes. His victory marks a significant shift toward a more formalized, data-driven approach to town governance.
Frank Doran, who ran as a “clean slate” candidate focusing on collaboration and internal trust, finished second with 922 votes. Joe Pecevich, a vocal critic of the town’s fiscal “narrative” and an advocate for increased citizen oversight, received 221 votes.
The election saw 4,146 residents head to the polls, representing a turnout of 18.57%. While the campaign featured sharp disagreements regarding the necessity of a tax override and the speed of the Town Administrator search, the final tally suggests a strong consensus among participating voters that Smith’s “grit and competency” approach was the preferred path forward.
Why It Matters
Smith’s overwhelming victory gives him a powerful mandate to implement the fiscal “best practices” he championed during the forums. Residents can expect an immediate focus on the $7.4 million deficit, with Smith likely pushing for more aggressive financial forecasting and a closer management of the Town Administrator. His election may also signal a greater likelihood that a tax override question will be presented to voters in the near future, as Smith consistently argued that the town deserved the right to vote on maintaining school and public safety service levels.
Election Results & Data
Final Vote Count
CandidateVotes ReceivedPercentage (Approx.)
Rick Smith 2,928. 70.6%
Frank Doran 922. 22.2%
Joe Pecevich 221 5.3%
Blanks/Write-ins 75 1.8%
Note: 18 votes remain unresolved or are pending final verification of write-in status.
Participation Metrics
Total Voters: 4,146
Turnout Percentage: 18.57%
What’s Next
Rick Smith will be sworn in to fill the seat vacated by Steve Darcy. His first major hurdle will be the upcoming budget cycle and the conclusion of the search for a permanent Town Administrator, a process he criticized for its lack of urgency during the campaign.
Source Data: Marshfield Town Clerk Preliminary Results
Updated the clerks numbers