Cities and towns across the state held elections Tuesday. East Haven Republican Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. was re-elected Tuesday, defeating Democrat Jack Stacey. In Danbury, incumbent Republican Mayor Mark Boughton won a seventh term against Democrat Paul McAllister.
In an interview with WNPR News, Evan Lips of The New Haven Register said on Wednesday, "East Haven voters went with their gut, and Maturo harped on the money factor on his finance management; property taxes; maybe that resonated. East Haven is a different animal, though, as we’ve clearly seen."
Democratic State Senator Toni Harp defeated Alderman Justin Elicker to become New Haven's first woman mayor. "I cant help but wonder," Harp said Tuesday night, "who would have thought that the daughter of a teamster and a railroad porter would have the chance to serve as mayor as a place as wonderful as New Haven."
In Stamford, management consultant David Martin won the mayor's seat, defeating former Republican Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele by 50 percent to 43 percent. Martin told News 12, "We started off knowing it was going to be close, but we never took our eye off the ball. we thank you for helping carry us to that victory."
Democrat Deb Hinchey won the mayor's post in Norwich, unseating Republican mayor Peter Nystrom.
In New Britain, Erin Stewart defeated incumbent Tim O'Brien. Stewart told Fox 61, "It feels amazing. I am so happy I was able to spread my message of independent voting and progress over politics to the NB voters. They really saw it through. They wanted change, a new generation of leadership. So proud and happy to be our new mayor."
This report includes information from The Associated Press.