HARTFORD, Conn. -
Republican officials claimed victory in
Tuesday's municipal elections in Connecticut, picking up seats in Stamford and Norwich while holding onto some in Democratic-heavy
towns.
"To say we are overwhelmed and humbled by this result across the state is an understatement," State Republican Chairman Chris Healy told The Associated Press, relying on results the party collected. Official returns were not available Tuesday night.
Nancy DiNardo, the state Democratic chairwoman, said she's still looking over the evening's elections results but said she's not surprised there are some Democratic losses.
"Obviously, I do believe that municipal campaigns, municipal elections, are usually around local issues," she said. "With the economy so bad, people are looking for change it's a democracy."
East Haven
In one of the most closely watched races, Democrat April Capone Almon secured a second term as East Haven's mayor by defeating Republican John Finkle. Almon was arrested in July by her own town's police department for allegedly interfering with a police officer who was ticketing cars at a local beach. She's scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 18.
She later became the subject of an ethics complaint, questioned about a pay raise she provided a secretary. Democrats called the complaint, which was recently dismissed, a political stunt.
"I believe that the people of East Haven delivered a clear mandate that shows they are interested in issues that affect the time, that affect their lives," she told the AP. "They're not interested in slimy, negative campaign tactics."
Finkle, who denied involvement in the ethics complaint, said he met his goal of getting 4,000 votes and thought that would be enough to unseat Almon. "We met our goal," he told WTIC-TV. "But unfortunately it was short."
Norwich
Norwich elected a Republican, Peter Nystrom, who won 47 percent of the vote in a four-way race. The former state representative succeeds Democrat Ben Lathrop, who did not seek re-election.
In Newington, Republican Jeffrey Wright was in a close race to win another term as mayor, leading Democrat Thomas Bowen by 134 votes with seven of eight precincts reporting.
Middletown And New Britain
Healy said Republicans held on to seats in Democratic-heavy Middletown and New Britain, where Mayor Timothy Stewart narrowly defeated state Rep. Timothy O'Brien, D-New Britain. "We came a little short... this year," O'Brien wrote on his Twitter account.
Republicans said they also picked up seats in Darien, Monroe, Guilford, Trumbull, Madison, North Branford and Stratford, where state Rep. John Harkins was elected mayor.
Stamford
Stamford voters apparently replaced longtime Democratic Mayor Dannel Malloy with Republican Michael Pavia. David Martin, the Democratic candidate and president of the Board of Representatives, conceded the race just before 9:20 p.m. Tuesday.
Malloy, who is a possible gubernatorial candidate, did not seek re-election to another four-year term.
New Haven
New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, a Democrat, won his ninth term by defeating several independent candidates. In Waterbury, Democratic Mayor Michael Jarjura, who was also endorsed by the Republicans, easily defeated independent candidate John Theriault.
In Hamden, Democrat Scott Jackson claimed victory, defeating Republican Ronald Gambardell. Jackson becomes the city's first black mayor.
Voter Turnout
Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said she expects voter turnout will be mixed, depending on the individual locality.
Of the 162 towns holding elections Tuesday, 131 had contests for mayor or first selectman. Of those, 22 are uncontested.
While there's no contested race for first selectman in Wilton, voter turnout was expected to be as high as 37 percent. Tina Gardner, the Republican registrar of voters, said the two referendum items on the ballot -- a proposed revision to the town charter and a proposal to finally allow liquor stores in the town -- appear to have brought out the voters.
Elections officials were still counting ballots early Wednesday morning.
More than 1,200 registered voters signed a petition this summer asking that the question of allowing the sale of liquor at outlets with package store permits be placed on the municipal election ballot.
In 1992, residents repealed the town's prohibition laws to allow restaurants to sell alcohol in Wilton.
"We've always called ourselves a damp town," said Carole Young-Kleinfield, the town's Democratic registrar.
State law places limits on the number of liquor stores in a town, based on population. In the case of Wilton, no more than seven stores would be allowed.
"To say we are overwhelmed and humbled by this result across the state is an understatement," State Republican Chairman Chris Healy told The Associated Press, relying on results the party collected. Official returns were not available Tuesday night.
Nancy DiNardo, the state Democratic chairwoman, said she's still looking over the evening's elections results but said she's not surprised there are some Democratic losses.
"Obviously, I do believe that municipal campaigns, municipal elections, are usually around local issues," she said. "With the economy so bad, people are looking for change it's a democracy."
East Haven
In one of the most closely watched races, Democrat April Capone Almon secured a second term as East Haven's mayor by defeating Republican John Finkle. Almon was arrested in July by her own town's police department for allegedly interfering with a police officer who was ticketing cars at a local beach. She's scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 18.
She later became the subject of an ethics complaint, questioned about a pay raise she provided a secretary. Democrats called the complaint, which was recently dismissed, a political stunt.
"I believe that the people of East Haven delivered a clear mandate that shows they are interested in issues that affect the time, that affect their lives," she told the AP. "They're not interested in slimy, negative campaign tactics."
Finkle, who denied involvement in the ethics complaint, said he met his goal of getting 4,000 votes and thought that would be enough to unseat Almon. "We met our goal," he told WTIC-TV. "But unfortunately it was short."
Norwich
Norwich elected a Republican, Peter Nystrom, who won 47 percent of the vote in a four-way race. The former state representative succeeds Democrat Ben Lathrop, who did not seek re-election.
In Newington, Republican Jeffrey Wright was in a close race to win another term as mayor, leading Democrat Thomas Bowen by 134 votes with seven of eight precincts reporting.
Middletown And New Britain
Healy said Republicans held on to seats in Democratic-heavy Middletown and New Britain, where Mayor Timothy Stewart narrowly defeated state Rep. Timothy O'Brien, D-New Britain. "We came a little short... this year," O'Brien wrote on his Twitter account.
Republicans said they also picked up seats in Darien, Monroe, Guilford, Trumbull, Madison, North Branford and Stratford, where state Rep. John Harkins was elected mayor.
Stamford
Stamford voters apparently replaced longtime Democratic Mayor Dannel Malloy with Republican Michael Pavia. David Martin, the Democratic candidate and president of the Board of Representatives, conceded the race just before 9:20 p.m. Tuesday.
Malloy, who is a possible gubernatorial candidate, did not seek re-election to another four-year term.
New Haven
New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, a Democrat, won his ninth term by defeating several independent candidates. In Waterbury, Democratic Mayor Michael Jarjura, who was also endorsed by the Republicans, easily defeated independent candidate John Theriault.
In Hamden, Democrat Scott Jackson claimed victory, defeating Republican Ronald Gambardell. Jackson becomes the city's first black mayor.
Voter Turnout
Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said she expects voter turnout will be mixed, depending on the individual locality.
Of the 162 towns holding elections Tuesday, 131 had contests for mayor or first selectman. Of those, 22 are uncontested.
While there's no contested race for first selectman in Wilton, voter turnout was expected to be as high as 37 percent. Tina Gardner, the Republican registrar of voters, said the two referendum items on the ballot -- a proposed revision to the town charter and a proposal to finally allow liquor stores in the town -- appear to have brought out the voters.
Elections officials were still counting ballots early Wednesday morning.
More than 1,200 registered voters signed a petition this summer asking that the question of allowing the sale of liquor at outlets with package store permits be placed on the municipal election ballot.
In 1992, residents repealed the town's prohibition laws to allow restaurants to sell alcohol in Wilton.
"We've always called ourselves a damp town," said Carole Young-Kleinfield, the town's Democratic registrar.
State law places limits on the number of liquor stores in a town, based on population. In the case of Wilton, no more than seven stores would be allowed.
