Personality, policies top party labels

In an offoffyear with no national or even congressional races, turnout was usually very low for municipal elections. But the adage “all politics is local” became even more obvious Tuesday as voters in Connecticut cities and towns chose candidates more for their personalities and specific policies than political labels.

Fairfield Republican state Rep. Brenda Kupchick was able to take advantage of a local scandal on the illegal dumping of hazardous waste to oust formerly popular Democratic First Selectman Michael Tetreau, who won his first fouryear term in 2011.

Larger towns and cities, with more polling precincts, were expected to go further into the night. And in Bridgeport, where an unprecedented writein campaign was occurring with Democratic state Sen. Marilyn Moore challenging incumbent Mayor Joe Ganim, the count was expected to go far into the night and early morning.

But shortly after the polls closed state Democrats were confident that unofficial results indicated Ganim would win.

Dozens of towns and cities were deciding on their top elected officials, although other cities, Stamford among them, had no topoftheticket locally.

In Ansonia, Republican David S. Cassetti won reelection to a fourth term over Democrat Philip Tripp.

In Trumbull, unofficial returns indicated that First Selectman Vicki Tesoro, a Democrat, was reelected in a contentious contest with retired local school teacher Michael Herbst, a Republican whose son Tim is the town’s former first selectman who unsuccessful sought the GOP nomination for governor in 2018.

In the race for East Ha

ven’s open mayoral seat, Democrat Joseph Carfora won over Republican Steve

Tracy and petititoning candidate Bonifacio Sioson Jr., in what appeared to be a Democratic sweep.

Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan, a Republican, won a second term, defeat

ing Democrat Brian Coppolo by a slim 1,343 votes to 1,336, according to unofficial results that indicate a recount may be next.

In Madison, Democrat Peggy Lyons defeated Re

publican First Selectman Tom Banich.

Shelton’s low propertytax rate enabled Republican Mayor Mark Lauretti to win an record 15th twoyear term.