Stonington Democrats expected to nominate Crouse to run against Simmons for selectman

Stonington — It appears the race for first selectman this fall will feature a rematch of the 2015 race.

According to an email Democratic Town Chairman Scott Bates sent to Democratic Town Committee members, the party’s nominating committee will recommend that former First Selectman George Crouse be endorsed at tonight’s caucus to challenge Republican First Selectman Rob Simmons.

Two years ago, Simmons defeated Crouse, 2,893 votes to 2,093 votes. Crouse had served the remaining 11 months of former First Selectman Ed Haberek’s term after Habarek resigned in December 2014.

Crouse, a retired high school teacher, has coached girls’ tennis at Stonington High school for many years, and his teams typically win the ECC championship and compete for state championships.

Both Simmons and Crouse had served on the Board of Selectmen under Haberek. Crouse could not immediately be reached for comment Sunday night. The Democrats are scheduled to hold their caucus at 6:30 p.m. at the borough firehouse.

Ashley Gillece, a Democrat who served on the Charter Revision Commission, said Sunday night that while she has expressed interest in running for a seat on the Board of Selectmen, she is not interested in challenging Crouse for the nomination for first selectman.

“I fully support George,” she said.

The nominating committee is also expected to recommend that incumbent Democrat Kate Rotella be endorsed to run for re-election against Republican John Prue.