Special Probate Election May Be A Three-Way Race

By John Voket

The special election for Newtown’s Judge of Probate, which is expected to occur on the same ballot as this November’s municipal elections, is shaping up to be a three-way race. This week, probate clerk Peggy Jepson told The Newtown Bee she was invited to run for the office as a petitioning candidate with the Independent Party of Newtown, and she is willing to take on the challenge.

Ms Jepson, who intends to remain a registered Republican, said she was approached by IPN Chairman Bruce Walczak recently, after he learned she did not receive the nomination of her party for the seat.

“He basically asked me if I still wanted to run,” Ms Jepson said. “So I decided to go for it.”

The special election is being prompted by a statutory retirement regarding Newtown’s current Probate Judge Margot Hall, who will be required to step down when she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.

The Candidates’ Committee of the Republican Town Committee recently recommended attorney Moira Rodgers be nominated to run for the post.

In the release, the RTC also recognized the work of longtime court clerk Peggy Jepson, who along with Judge Hall was credited for maintaining a “efficient, caring and well-run court.” At the RTC meeting, during which Ms Rodgers received her nomination, Ms Jepson was also nominated for the probate judge post by former state representative and town clerk Mae Schmidle, but did not receive majority support from the rank and file members.

Ms Jepson has served the local court for more than 20 years. In addition her work as probate clerk, Ms Jepson is also a notary public and a justice of the peace.

She also holds a litigation certificate, which, she said in a 2008 profile, provided her with understanding and knowledge to write up a situation in language that can be understood and used in a court proceeding.

The Independent Party of Newtown has yet to announce any other candidates for the fall ballot. The minor party’s representatives Po Murray and Gary Davis have not formally declared whether they will either seek reelection to the council, or possibly other offices on the ballot.

The IPN’s other elected members, school board member David Nanavaty, as well as police commissioner and party chairman Bruce Walczak, have not made any announcements in connection with the fall elections.

Responding to a request for comment on Ms Jepson’s Probate candidacy, Mr Walczak responded, “Peggy chose to announce that she was invited to seek the IPN nomination. As far as I know no other candidate has chosen to announce whether he or she will run on the ballot in November.”

Mr Walczak said many people have expressed strong interest in certain positions, “and I would expect that we will run candidates for BOS, LC, Police Commission and Probate and others may follow. I would say that there are still many steps ahead before the IPN endorses and things could certainly change.”

The IPN chairman said in the last election the IPN endorsed some candidates from other parties, including the Board of Selectman and zoning, and he is not ruling out supporting other candidates who may feel disenfranchised by the local major parties.

“During the last election the voters of Newtown showed significant support for the IPN and its endorsed candidates and we expect that to be even stronger this time,” Mr Walczak said, adding that the IPN nominating committee will submit its recommendations later this month, at which time the minor party’s town committee will vote and endorse candidates.

Kevin Fitzgerald, a staunch opponent of the town hall development project at Fairfield Hills, recently acknowledged he is exploring a possible run for the council. Patrick Heigel has also announced preliminary intentions to petition for the first selectman seat as an unaffiliated voter.

Current Republican Selectman Paul Mangiafico, who did not receive a GOP endorsement, said previously he had not ruled out the possibility of seeking elected office this fall, but provided no further details.