Democrats dominated local elections which wrapped up Tuesday across Connecticut, holding mayor’s offices in Danbury, Stamford, Norwalk, Middletown, New Haven and more, while picking up mayor’s offices in New Britain, Bristol, Milford, Stratford and the first selectman’s office in Newtown, among others.
Republicans held the first selectman’s offices in Greenwich and Oxford, plus the mayor’s offices in Shelton and Vernon, and more.
State Democratic chair Roberto Alves, who won his own race in Danbury, said, “This election sends a loud message that Democrats have found our voice and our power.”
Here are some of the races we’ve been watching:
ANSONIA – Mayor
Retired Sikorsky engineer Frank Tyszka (D) beat incumbent David Cassetti (R), who was seeking a 7th term.
BRISTOL – Mayor
In a narrow race, Former mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu (D) beat incumbent Jeff Caggiano (R), who defeated Zoppo-Sassu in 2021.
DANBURY – Mayor
Alves (D) won a second term, defeating Emile Buzaid (R). In 2023, Alves became the city’s first Democratic mayor in 22 years.
EAST GRANBY - First Selectman
Challenger Jason Hayes (D) beat two-term incumbent Eden Wimpfheimer (R). Wimpfheimer won by less than 100 votes in ’21 and ’23, becoming the town’s (pop. 5,000) first Republican first selectperson in a quarter-century.
GREENWICH – First Selectman
Incumbent Fred Camillo (R) held on, beating Anthony Moor (D) for a fourth 2-year term.
HAMDEN - Mayor
Adam Sendroff (D) beat 24-year-old Jonathan Katz (R) by more than 30 percentage points, with two others in the race. Mayor Lauren Garrett chose not to run for reelection
MIDDLETOWN – Mayor
Interim Mayor Gene Nocera (D) beat Sebastian Giuliano (R) to fill the remainder of Ben Florsheim’s term through Nov., 2017. Florsheim quit in May.
MILFORD – Mayor
Another pickup for Democrats, as Rich Smith (D) defeated incumbent RepublicanTony Giannattasio. Smith was interim mayor when Ben Blake resigned in 2023.
NEW BRITAIN – Mayor
Longtime state Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D) defeated Sharon Beloin-Saavedra (R), who was endorsed by outgoing mayor Erin Stewart.
NEW HAVEN – Mayor
A dominant Justin Elicker (D) took roughly 85% of the vote in winning a fourth 2-year term, beating Steve Orosco (R).
NEWTOWN – First Selectman
Democrat Bruce Walczak ousted incumbent Jeff Capeci (R).
NORWALK – Mayor
Former English teacher Barbara Smyth (D) beat Vinny Scicchitano (R) and two others. She’ll replace Democrat Henry Rilling, who did not run for reelection after 12 years in office.
OXFORD – First Selectman
George Temple (R), 79, won his eighth 2-year term after surviving a primary challenge, defeating Democrat Amy Sarris.
SHELTON – Mayor
Mark Lauretti (R) wins his 18th term, defeating Bette Lynn Paez (D) and David Eldridge (petitioning).
STAMFORD - Mayor
A second 4-year term for Mayor Caroline Simmons (D), who defeats local businessman Nicola Tarzia (R).
STRATFORD – Mayor
Dr. David Chess (D) took out incumbent Laura Hoydick (R), who was seeking her third 4-year term.
VERNON – Mayor
Republican Dan Champagne, who’s been mayor since 2013, won another term, beating Jeremy Geller (D) by about 100 votes.