Connecticut Local Politics

Norwich’s Mayor-elect, Peter Nystrom, has a long four years ahead of him that will really get started when he gets sworn in on December 1. 
But for the UPS driver-turned-Mayor, the days will seem as long as the years:
Mayor-elect Nystrom hopes to grab a 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. shift at UPS. In the afternoon he [...]

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At the close of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, it is said that a woman shouted a question at Benjamin Franklin: “Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”
To which Mr. Franklin replied, “A republic, madame, if you can keep it.”
It’s Election Day – Go vote.

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No, no, there isn’t a mayoral election in Bridgeport this year! Sorry. But if you’re Mayor Bill Finch, you’re probably a little relieved that that’s the case. Check out this great new poll from Only in Bridgeport (you aren’t reading OIB? WHY? Get on that right away) showing Finch trailing his rival 40%-37%. That’s within [...]

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Republican Mayor Tim Stewart appeared with his Democratic challenger, State Rep. Tim O’Brien, on Tuesday night at a debate sponsored by the Connecticut League of Women Voters.
While many observers (including the NB Herald reporter, apparently) anticipated a rhetorical brawl between the two men, what actually occurred was somewhat subdued:
What was expected to be a brouhaha [...]

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Now that’s a headline I never thought I would read or write. But the 3rd quarter fund raising reports for the municipal elections here showed a shift in the fund raising momentum in favor of the Democrats.
Current Selectman Lin Lavery, who is running against incumbent Peter Tesei for the First Selectman spot, topped Tesei [...]

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Trumbull is the scene for what could be one of the closest municipal races in the state this year.  Democratic incumbent Raymond Baldwin is being challenged by Republican Tim Herbst in the race for First Selectman. 
The two men squared off in their first debate of the campaign season last night.  Herbst, 29, is running on his 11 year experience as [...]

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Mayor Ryan Bingham squared off against his opponents in the first debate of Torrington’s municipal campaign yesterday evening.
Bingham, the 26 year old two-term incumbent, is running for his third term as Mayor against two challengers, Democrat Samuel E. Slaiby, 62, and petitioning candidate Tom Iffland.
According to the Republican-American, taxes and spending was the most divisive point [...]

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10:34pm: Jarjura wins in Waterbury by an unofficial total of 186 votes.
10:00pm: A recount is needed in Cromwell.
9:18pm: The Rep-Am reports that Morris First Selectman Karen D. Paradis defeated her GOP opponent by 3 votes.
9:13pm: I’m getting a report that Scott Jackson is the big winner tonight in the Hamden Democratic mayoral primary.
9:09pm: It [...]

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Today is Primary Day in towns across the state. I put together a list of primaries, and the Courant has coverage here.
The big race is in Waterbury, but there are many other races to watch around the state.

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Okay, the deadline for filing petitions to force a primary has passed, and here’s what we know so far.
Waterbury: Board of Aldermen president Paul Vance (D) is facing incumbent mayor Mike Jarjura (D). Jarjura is also running as a Republican.
Griswold: Four Republicans filed petitions to primary for various offices, including that of first selectman. [...]

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Board of Aldermen President J. Paul Vance Jr. (D) turned in far more signatures than needed to force a primary against incumbent Mayor Mike Jarjura.
If the primary does go forward, it’s worth remembering that Jarjura has been vulnerable among Democrats in the past. He lost a primary battle in 2005, only to come back and [...]

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The major headline in This morning’s New London DAY , July 29, 2009, Region Section was who was not on the New London Democratic Caucus’s list of candidates. New London Board of Education President Elaine Maynard-Adams was left off of the democratic ticket last night. Candidates nominated last night were: City Council [...]

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One of the most interesting municipal races of the year is shaping up in New Britain as local parties nominated their candidates for Mayor last night.
On the Republican side, incumbent Tim Stewart was nominated to run for his fourth term as Mayor of the Hardware City.  Stewart, widely known for his hard hitting style, has [...]

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Last night, July 23, 20069, was a busy night for Party caucuses in Eastern Connecticut as reported in this morning’s New London DAY.
The most significant result was in the Democratic Caucus in Norwich where Alderman Mark Bettencourt defeated Alderman and former City Manager Robert Zarnetske by a large 44-12 margin. Zarnetske is already [...]

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Democrats seem to have finally come up with a challenger for Mayor Ryan Bingham; local attorney Samuel Slaiby.
Bingham was elected in 2005 as one of the youngest mayors in the country. He easily won re-election in 2007.
A recent charter change means that the mayoral candidates are now seeking a four-year term instead of [...]

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The Party Caucuses are starting to choose their nominees for the November local elections. Here are the results of some of the caucuses held last night, July 22, 2009, as reported in the New London DAY.
Norwich: Republicans select former state Representative and current Alderman Peter Nystrom as Mayoral Candidate. Other selections are: [...]

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In a matchup certain to be one to watch on election night, Rep. Tim O’Brien (D-New Britain) will be facing Mayor Timothy Stewart. O’Brien announced last week, while Stewart announced today.
Stewart has been mayor since 2003, a remarkable feat for a Republican in a heavily Democratic city.

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Thank you, Waterbury, for being interesting this year.
Mayoral candidate J. Paul Vance Jr. (D) attacked Mayor Michael Jarjura (D) in a release to media today, accusing the incumbent of pursing the GOP nomination. Said Vance:
“I think it’s outrageous that the Mayor is attempting to seek this nomination,” said J. Paul Vance, Jr. “This is a [...]

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Although the Democratic Party is the majority party in Connecticut, it must be a good time to be an incumbent Republican First Selectman. According to today’s New London DAY, July 17, 2009, Old Saybrook First Selectman Michael Pace and East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica, both Republicans, are seeking another term. Rumor has [...]

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The Courant has a nice timeline and background for municipal races this year. Here are some other local race headlines:
The mayor of Wallingford, William W. Dickinson, pictured here wearing a cool helmet, is running for a 14th term. He’s been mayor since 1984.
The race in Essex is set: Board of finance member Joel Marzi (R) [...]

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