By JON BAKER

CENTRAL FALLS  ---  Ward 2 City Council challenger Edna Poulin had just left the Madeirense Club polling place at about 5:30 p.m., Tuesday and headed for the other at Robinson School when she revealed she felt “pretty good” about her chances to dethrone incumbent Richard G. Aubin Jr.

“The way I look at it, we've done what we can in this campaign, and now it's up to the people to decide,” she said matter-of-factly. “If they want change, then they will have it. If they don't, then it will be 'same ol', same ol' for the next four years. I think the residents in this ward do want change.”
About six minutes later, at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Claremont Street, Ward 5 candidate Adam Issa seemed more upbeat than Poulin.
“Things are looking good,” he stated. “I'm getting one more chance to speak with the voters, and they seem very receptive to change. I've been getting a lot of thumbs-ups, and winks. They've been telling me we need to go in a different direction. I really hope that's a sign of things to come. I'd really like to be a city councilor.”
Alas, their hopes were dashed on Election Night, as Aubin captured the Ward 2 race over Poulin with 57.4 percent of the vote (230-170), and Council President William Benson Jr. gleaned 55.3 percent to edge the young Issa, 219-177.
Still, there was a major upset in Ward 4, as enthusiastic 24-year-old James Diossa mustered a 232-215 triumph (51.7 percent) over incumbent Jeremiah A. O'Connor, 65. Incumbent Eunice DeLaHoz had the easiest time in the three council “competitions,” as she achieved a 189-116 victory (61.8 percent) over Eugene J. Racquier in Ward 1.
In Ward 3, Patrick Szlashta ran unopposed and gathered 279 votes. Over 30.6 percent of the 6,558 registered voters hit the polls; that is, 2,016 turned out. (Then again, Attorney General Patrick Lynch, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis and Rep. Peter Kilmartin showed up at the incumbents' post-election gathering at Madeira Club).
“I'm somewhat surprised; I was confident, but reserved,” Diossa said from the El Lopresa Bakery on Broad Street (which, in Spanish, means “The Surprise”). “I was in it to win, and – luckily – we came out victorious. I feel great. I was very motivated, and I'm now ready to step up and help the constituents of my ward.”
Stated O'Connor as he mingled with the four councilors: “I'm stunned. Apparently, the mayor (Charles D. Moreau) covered the ward, and I didn't. I know I carried Wilfrid Manor, but … I don't know what to say. I thought it might be close, but the Latino vote beat me. James came out of nowhere.
“I did the count, and I lost by 17 votes,” he continued. “I will not choose to run again. The people in the ward have spoken, and they want a Latino representative.”
Diossa said he believed the Latino constituents had backed him in his first political foray, but noted, “I also did a lot of door-knocking, and I talked to every constituent. I told them what I wanted to accomplish, and they listened.”
Mayor Moreau, who easily reigned in his bid for re-election, claimed “shock” at O'Connor's defeat.
“I'm very happy that I will be working again with the four council members for the next four years, and continue to move the city forward, but I didn't anticipate Augie losing.”
Poulin remained steadfast in her loss.
“I'm disappointed, but very happy that one of the newcomers (Diossa) will become a city councilor,” she said. “I think this is a start for change in the city of Central Falls. It's time for new faces and new blood. James had a solid showing and did a great job in defeating Augie, who I believe is one of the insiders for the mayor.
“I also think the challengers should be commended for stepping up to the plate and making a run for council,” she added. “I certainly hope it won't be their last time to stay involved in city politics.”
Aubin admitted it was an extremely difficult race against a well-known adversary, Poulin, in his ward.
“She's lived in the city her whole life, and she's known by most everybody in the ward, but – with a lot of hard work, knocking on doors and making phone calls – I was able to overcome a loss,” Aubin stated. “My record of achievements and accomplishments as a city councilor was, I believe, what got me re-elected. The comments from Edna during the campaign had no effect on the voters.
“My first election win against Bob Ferri in 2007, Bob ran a clean campaign and was a perfect gentleman,” he continued. “The words my opponent used this time, well, they were unfounded.”
Benson claimed being quite relieved at his tight triumph over Issa.
“I knew it was going to be close, but it worked nice. Adam and I were greeting voters all day at the Knights of Columbus, and we had a good time,” he offered. “Still, I'm glad it's over. I'm tired. We were out there all day.
“I'd say that was the toughest part,” he added with a chuckle, and just after kissing the dismissed O'Connor on the cheek at the Madeira Club.
Stated Issa: “I'd say this is crushing, but I it was a good fight. I worked hard. I had great people backing me, and everyone did great. Maybe it just wasn't my time.”
When asked if he would run for city council or anything else in the future, he said only, “Let's just say I'm going back to the drawing board.”
DeLaHoz seemed thrilled with her win over Racquier.
“I'm very happy and grateful to the voters of the city of Central Falls, those who supported me to continue to work on the city council,” she said. “I will not only well represent my ward but all the people of Central Falls. I especially want to thank my family and friends who supported me, my fellow councilors and Mayor Moreau.
“I feel truly humbled by this,” she added. “I promise, during the next four years, I'll continue to work hard on all the issues.”