Glastonbury Dems, GOP set ballots
Democrats say list of incumbents ‘one of strongest’ in recent years
GLASTONBURY – In 2017, Democrats wrestled away control of the town council from Republicans for the first time in years. Now they hope to keep the majority by running all of their incumbents, with Republicans hoping to regain the majority with a mix of newcomers and familiar faces.
Since they last held control of the town council in 2003, Democrats had been running newcomers in hopes of turning the balance of power. That finally worked in 2017, when the Republicans’ grasp on the council as a 6-3 super majority came to an end.
Democrats currently hold a 5-4 advantage and will run incumbents Chairman Thomas P. Gullotta, who is seeking a fourth term, along with Vice Chairman Lawrence Niland; Deb Carroll and Mary LaChance — all seeking second terms. Jake McChesney, who filled the unexpired vacancy of State Rep. Jill Barry, and Matt Saunig, Democratic Town Committee Chairman and town plan and zoning member, will round out the ticket.
“This year’s slate of Glastonbury Democratic candidates is one of the strongest groups of candidates we’ve had in recent memory,” Saunig said. “The current Democratic majority on the Town Council has done an exceptional job of maintaining the great quality of life town residents enjoy without increasing the cost of living.”
Republicans will run their full slate of council incumbents led by Stewart “Chip” Beckett III, seeking his eighth term; Kurt P. Cavanaugh, who is seeking his 13th term; Whit C. Osgood, seeking his 10th term and incumbent George Norman seeking his second term. Board of education member Lillian Tanski and newcomer Philip Markuscka, an attorney and member of the commission on aging, will be seeking their first terms.
“I am very impressed by the caliber of individuals who have stepped forward to run for office,” said John Tanski, chairman of the Republican Town Committee, adding new faces will “bring a fresh and thoughtful perspective to challenges we face as a community.”
For the board of education, Glastonbury Republicans endorsed three newcomers to replace Tanski and longtime members Susan Karp and Jeremy Grieveson, who will not seek reelection: Ray McFall, Kristy Notarangelo and Evan Seretan. Democrats countered with experienced incumbents, including Julie Thompson and Chittaranjan Sahay — both running for third terms — and newcomer Alison Couture.
For the board of finance, Glastonbury Republicans endorsed Robert Lynn to replace longtime board member Jared Soper, who is not seeking reelection. Democrats endorsed incumbent Chairman Gus Constantine.