Biddeford, October 25, 2025
News Summary
The Biddeford Ward 1 City Council race features candidates Patricia Boston and James LaBelle, focusing on fiscal responsibility, housing, and community services ahead of the upcoming municipal election. Both candidates have significant public-service experience and propose strategies to address local governance challenges, including taxes, housing stability, and environmental sustainability.
Biddeford — The Biddeford Ward 1 City Council race pits two experienced local officials, Patricia Boston and James LaBelle, in a contest focused on fiscal responsibility, housing and community services ahead of the Nov. 4 municipal election. The Biddeford City Council election will take place on November 4.
Top-line: who is running and what is at stake
The Ward 1 contest features two candidates with long records of community involvement and public-service experience. Voters will weigh incumbent experience, fiscal priorities and housing strategies as part of broader citywide debates over taxes, development and social services. The election is competitive across multiple wards and at-large seats, with other contests shaping the overall balance of the City Council.
Candidate profiles and priorities
Patricia Boston
Patricia Boston, 71, is married with two adult sons and is a retired registered nurse. She brings prior elected experience to the race. Boston has served two years on the School Committee and four years on the City Council. Her civic involvement extends to several committees and volunteer roles. Boston is currently the treasurer of Age Friendly Biddeford.
Boston’s stated priorities include renewing trust and confidence in local government through fiscal responsibility and prioritizing spending, addressing issues identified in the city’s recent financial audit, promoting transparency and citizen engagement, and focusing on housing issues that include the unhoused, workforce housing, and Smart Growth. She also plans to work on restraining the property tax rate, supporting future development, preserving the natural environment particularly beaches and the river, and continuing implementation of the Sustainability Commission’s recommendations to increase walkability and alternative transportation options.
James LaBelle
James LaBelle, 61, is married with two adult children and recently retired as the Executive Director of the Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry. He brings private-sector experience in finance, marketing and business leadership to municipal issues and currently participates in regional planning as a local commissioner. He serves as the Biddeford commissioner for the Saco River Corridor Commission.
LaBelle’s priorities include addressing the high cost of living for residents with an emphasis on maintaining stable property taxes, limiting spending growth and finding alternative funding sources. He also identifies housing market challenges as central, highlighting the demand-supply imbalance that has driven housing prices upward, and supports partnerships with local and regional organizations to tackle homelessness and ensure no residents are unhoused.
Supporting details and broader context
The Ward 1 contest is one part of a larger municipal election that includes at-large and other ward races. The citywide field includes incumbents and newcomers with overlapping concerns: housing, taxes, economic development and community services. For example, City Councilor Marc Lessard is facing challengers Nasreen Sheikh-Yousef and Lisa Vadnais for at-large seats, and various candidates across different wards have prioritized housing, taxes and community development in their campaigns.
Housing is a common theme across campaigns. Both Ward 1 candidates emphasize housing as a priority but approach it from complementary angles: Boston highlights a combination of support for the unhoused, workforce housing and Smart Growth planning, while LaBelle focuses on correcting market imbalances and seeking partnerships to prevent homelessness. Fiscal discipline is another shared priority, with both candidates citing restrained spending and stable taxes as key objectives.
Election mechanics and timeline
The municipal election will be held on November 4. Voters in Ward 1 and across Biddeford will cast ballots in races that will determine the composition of the City Council and influence policy direction on development, environment, transportation and social services over the coming years.
What voters should watch for
- How candidates propose to balance fiscal restraint with service needs, especially in public safety, education and housing support.
- Specific plans and timelines for addressing recommendations in the city’s recent financial audit.
- Proposals for protecting natural resources such as beaches and the river while accommodating future development.
- Coordination among local government, nonprofits and regional organizations on homelessness and workforce housing solutions.
FAQ
When is the Biddeford City Council election?
The Biddeford City Council election will take place on November 4.
What is Patricia Boston’s background?
Patricia Boston, 71, is married with two adult sons and is a retired registered nurse.
What prior government service has Boston held?
Boston has served two years on the School Committee and four years on the City Council.
Does Boston hold any current organizational roles?
Boston is currently the treasurer of Age Friendly Biddeford.
What is James LaBelle’s background?
James LaBelle, 61, is married with two adult children and recently retired as the Executive Director of the Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry.
Does LaBelle serve in any regional roles?
He serves as the Biddeford commissioner for the Saco River Corridor Commission.
Candidate summary table
| Candidate | Age | Family | Experience / Roles | Key priorities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patricia Boston | 71 | Married with two adult sons | Retired registered nurse; two years on the School Committee; four years on the City Council; treasurer of Age Friendly Biddeford; committee volunteer roles | Fiscal responsibility; transparency; housing (unhoused, workforce housing, Smart Growth); restrain property tax rate; environmental preservation; Sustainability Commission implementation |
| James LaBelle | 61 | Married with two adult children | Recently retired Executive Director, Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry; finance and business experience; Biddeford commissioner for the Saco River Corridor Commission | Address cost of living; maintain stable property taxes; limit spending growth; alternative funding; address housing market imbalance; partnerships to prevent homelessness |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Saco Bay News: Boston and LaBelle vie for Ward Biddeford City Council seat
- Wikipedia: Biddeford, Maine
- Press Herald: Biddeford City Council race takes off with old, new faces
- Google Search: Biddeford City Council election
- Saco Bay News: Charter commission or no, it’s up to Biddeford voters on Nov.
- Encyclopedia Britannica: City council
- Spectrum Local News: Biddeford Council declines to vote on removing planning board member
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