The dividing line of Election Day
Elections like Tuesday’s don’t have the glamour of those in a presidential year, but they are perhaps the most vivid demonstration that every vote counts.
The day after some holidays hold up better than others.
The Friday after Thanksgiving offers the lure of sales and tasty leftovers. Fireworks are just as bright when towns choose to ignite them July 5.
But carved pumpkins are already rotting Nov. 1. New Year’s Day can offer little more than a hangover.
Then there is Election Day. Overnight, the fever of a hot campaign can vanish. Trashtalking usually ends like two bloodied boxers voicing respect for each other.
The recent past is forgotten by candidates as easily as lawn signs that are transformed into litter until they (hopefully) are finally retrieved.
While pundits sift for clues to how Election Day 2019 might foreshadow Election Day 2020, we’re encouraged that the people who did turn out to vote seemed to recognize the distinction between local and national issues.
Democrat David Kooris, who held onto his Stamford Board of Finance seat, repeated a message he says he learned from a mentor, former Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch: “Potholes are not red or blue.”
Those elected Tuesday — mayors, first selectman, members of boards of finance and education — are the ones who will determine how to spend tax dollars. Among so many other things, they are tasked with figuring out how to fill those potholes.
Even in communities with nasty showdowns for top leadership, it’s worth appreciating the value of immediately beginning the process of healing. The work may be a little different in each of our communities, but there is just too much of it everywhere to allow campaign wounds to fester. Healthy competition can work to everyone’s benefit.
Some towns demonstrated how scripts can change. In Fairfield, Brenda Kupchick’s win flipped town leadership into the hands of a Republican. In Middletown, Democrat Ben Florshem was elected mayor at age 27, beating out seasoned Republican opponent Seb Giuliano.
Danbury area towns — also including Ridgefield, Brookfield, Bethel, New Fairfield and New Milford — all saw incumbents hold onto the top position of power. As Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton won his record 10th election, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling captured his fourth term.
While we applaud the losers as well as the winners, we have not forgotten our responsibility to use our hands to push rather than clap. Even strong leaders need alternative perspectives, which typically come from the opposing party. The absence of pushback makes it that much more difficult to keep leaders in check. True electoral competition is to everyone’s benefit.
We could use more of it. There will always be towns, like states, that tilt firmly to the left or the right. But lopsided results in, say, Stamford, suggest a Republican Party that needs to be reenergized.
Elections like Tuesday’s don’t have the glamour of those in a presidential year, but they are perhaps the most vivid demonstration that every vote counts.
Election Day is now behind us. It’s time to change the future.