After a long political season often marred, at least on the national level, by angry outbursts and seemingly unending controversy, the arguments are almost over. The power now shifts to the voters.

Locally, there was a much more candid, cordial exchange of ideas among the many candidates running for office in Bristol. Over a series of forums and a string of political statements published in the Bristol Phoenix, the candidates for Bristol Town Administrator, Town Council, State Senate, State Representative and School Committee differentiated themselves and stated their cases to voters. For a complete look at the local candidates and their stances on the issues, see the Oct. 20 and Oct. 27 editions of the Bristol Phoenix or log onto eastbayri.com.

Here is a look at all the races and referenda Bristol voters will find on their ballots Tuesday, beginning with the local races. 

Town Administrator

Tony Teixeira faces off against Steven Contente, both of whom are Independents. Mr. Teixeira is seeking a third term as administrator, having filled the role for the last four years. Mr. Contente, a political newcomer, is the former Deputy Chief of the Bristol Police Department who retired in the spring after 20 years of service.

The candidates faced off in a debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters and East Bay Newspapers last week. Click here for a full look at their differing stances on several issues brought up in the forum.

Town Council

Nine candidates are vying for five seats on the Bristol Town Council — five Democrats, three Republicans and one Independent. Four of the candidates  Mary Parella, Nathan Calouro, Tim Sweeney and Edward Stuart — are incumbents. Councilman Halsey Herreshoff opted not to run after a long career of public service spanning several decades.

The nine candidates also took part in the forum last week, and full coverage of their positions can  be found here. The candidates include:

• Marco Capaldi (R)
• Nathan T. Calouro (D)
• Patrick M. McCarthy (R)
• Aaron John Ley (D)
• Mary A. Parella (R)
• Edward P. Stuart (D)
• Timothy Edward Sweeney (D)
• Andrew T. Tyska (D)
• Ann S. Gardner (I)

Bristol Warren Regional School Committee

Six candidate are vying for three Bristol seats on the regional school committee. Take a look at the candidates' positions on the issues here. The non-partisan candidates include:

• Marjorie J. McBride
• Lisa Raposo LcBolita
• Adam M. Ramos
• Brian Reid Bradshaw
• Dessie L. Wainwright
• R. Andrew Benn

State Senate - District 10

• Walter S. Felag (D)
• Jarrod E. Hazard (I)

State Senate - District 32

• James A. Kazounis (R)
• Cynthia Armour Coyne (D)

State Senate - District 11

• John A. Pagliarini, Jr.
• James Arthur Seveney

State Representative - District 68

• Kenneth A. Marshall (D)
• William James Hunt, Jr. (L)

State Representative - District 69

• Antonio F. Avila (R)
• Susan R. Donovan (D)
• Analee A. Berretto (L)

Congress - District 1

• Harold Russell Taub (R)
• David N. Cicilline (D)

President

• Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence (R)
• Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine (D)
• Gary Johnson and Bill Weld (L)
• Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka (G)
• “Rocky” Roque De La Fuente and Michael Steinberg (AD)

Local Question 8

Local boys referendum Question 8 asks Bristol residents whether they support borrowing $17 million to be spent on a number of projects. “If approved, the bond will allow the town of Bristol to borrow funds for drainage projects, road and sidewalk repairs and improvements, renovations to public buildings, acquisition of open space, and the expansion of the Town-owned marina,” the town’s website reads.

The bond encompasses several projects, including:

• Drainage projects — $7 million
• Road and sidewalk repairs — $5 million
• Town-owned marina — $2 million
• Acquisition of open space — $2 million
• Rehabilitation of public buildings — $1 million

Bristol carries a general fund debt of $28.8 million as of June 30, according to town Treasurer Julie Goucher. Borrowing $17 million would add to that debt and could have an effect on the town tax rate for homeowners. Each million dollars borrowed requires an annual repayment of about $70,000, roughly 3 cents on the tax rate. By that estimation, the full bond referendum on the ballot could increase the property tax rate by 51 cents per thousand dollars of valuation.

State referenda

Question 1 - Would authorize construction of a casino in Tiverton

Question 2 - Would restore Ethics Commission jurisdiction over the General Assembly

Question 3 - Would borrow $27 million for construction of a new Veterans Home in Bristol

Question 4 - Would borrow $45.5 million — $25.5 million for a College of Engineering at the University of Rhode Island; $20 million for an “affiliated innovation campus program” at Rhode Island College.

Question 5 - Would borrow $70 million for port infrastructure improvements at Quonset Point and in Providence

Question 6 - Would borrow $35 million for environmental and recreational purposes, including open space acquisition, bike path expansion, etc. See the editorial on page 6 for more information.

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica} li.li1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} ul.ul1 {list-style-type: disc}

Question 7 - Would borrow $50 million for affordable housing development ($40 million) and urban revitalization ($10 million).