Only two candidates are running for Mayor of Methuen:
- Neil Perry – Incumbent Mayor
- Matthew Wicks – Methuen businessman
Since there are only two candidates, there will be no preliminary election for Mayor. As a result, the race has barely started. We will update this report when events unfold and reveal the most critical issues.
Candidates’ financial status as of August 31, 2023[1]
| Candidate | Beginning Balance | August Expenditures | Cash on Hand |
| Perry | $32,444.20 | $4,302.46 | $28,141.74 |
| Wicks |
Wicks has not yet filed his initial report.
What are the Potential Issues?
Methuen borders Haverhill, MA, and will likely share many of the same issues.
- Economic Development – Increasing the tax base, providing more jobs, and dealing with homelessness and affordable housing can be an issue.
- Education: Methuen has a public school system with a declining enrollment.[2] Candidates will likely have ideas for improving the public school system.
- Infrastructure: Methuen’s infrastructure requires repair. Like Haverhill, Methuen has an expensive ongoing project to clean up storm and wastewater flow into a major waterway – the Spicket River.
Several possible controversies could enter the race.
- Mayor Perry once had a restraining order against him, but he has won two elections with that as public knowledge. [3]
- An influx of immigrants is putting pressure on schools and housing[4]
[1] Source: Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (ocpf.us)
[2] Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
[3] Source: Boston Globe, Oct 18, 2019, https://tinyurl.com/3rs2kmux
[4] Source: Lawrence Eagle Tribune, August 16, 2023, https://tinyurl.com/5bjwmmfj
Massachusetts First 
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