EDITOR'S NOTE: This is an updated and expanded version of a story initially published online Tuesday night, November 7.

This story has been edited to correct that Brian Budd is a Republican and the Republicans retained their majority on the Police Commission.

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Voters sent a mixed message on Election Night, picking Republican Jeff Capeci to be the town’s new first selectman; however, Democrats won majorities on several boards and commissions including Legislative Council and Board of Education.

Voter turnout was 40.5 percent, with 7,672 out of 18,941 eligible voters casting a ballot.

Capeci received 3,853 votes. His running mate, John Madzula II, with 3,685 votes, did not get elected to the Board of Selectmen. Capeci will instead serve with his Democratic opponent, Dan Cruson, who had 3,730 votes, and Cruson’s running mate, Michelle Embree Ku, who had 3,806 votes, on the Board of Selectmen.

Both selectman candidates expressed that their party didn’t get the mandate they were hoping for.

“The results were not what we were hoping for,” Capeci told the assembled Republicans Tuesday night. “We’ll take the next two years to rebuild. I’ll be your first selectman. It wasn’t our year, but we’ll lead the town into a brighter future in two years.”

Similarly, Cruson also said it “wasn’t necessarily the outcome we were hoping for, but I’m happy with the outcome.

“I am glad to be moving up to the Board of Selectmen, and I look forward to the next couple of years,” he added.

Board of Finance member-elect James Gaston concurred with the disappointment of Cruson not being elected to the town’s top administrative position, but noted “ the Democrats did phenomenally well with the election.

“We’re very pleased,” he said. “We had excellent candidates. We ran an excellent campaign. And we want to congratulate the Republicans for running a fair campaign, and a good campaign as well.”

The Democrats have a 7-5 majority on the Legislative Council, as Democrats Keith Alexander (1,277 votes), Jordana Bloom (1,308 votes), Heather Dean (1,248 votes), Chris Gardner (1,437 votes), Laura Miller (1,389 votes), and Eric Paradis (1,251 votes) were all elected to the Council.

Unaffiliated candidate Steve Hinden (1,267 votes), who was endorsed by Democrats, was also elected to the council this week.

The Republicans are in the minority with Jim Landy (1,250 votes), Jennifer Nicoletti (1,257 votes), Tom Long (1,356 votes), Benjamin Ruben (1,300 votes), and John Zachos (1,260 votes) now on the council.

Those who were unsuccessful in their campaigns were Republicans Bryan Atherton (1,194 votes), William DeRosa (1,245 votes), Matthew Mihalcik (1,220 votes), and Derek Pisani (1,249 votes), and Democrats Doria Linnetz (1,186 votes) and Chris Smith (1,238 votes).

Republicans previously held a 9-3 supermajority on the council.

Republican Tom Long said he was excited to be back.

“Everyone will find a way to work together, there are a lot of new folks who will be excited to serve,” he said. “We have the Capital Improvement Plan on our plate. Change can be good; we’re all neighbors.”

Board Of Education

For Board of Education two-year terms, Republicans Todd Higgins and Shannon Tomai were elected.

For Board of Education full terms, Democrats Alison Plante, Chris Gilson, and John Vouros were elected.

Higgins said he thought it was “a great day for Newtown with participation.

“Anything that elevates community participation is good. I look forward to continuing the [BOE]’s work and achieving its goals,” he added.

This gives the Democrats a 4-3 majority on the school board. Dan Cruson’s seat, which expires in 2025, may become an unfilled vacancy, assuming he chooses to move over to his newly elected seat on the BOS. If he does, Democrats will appoint someone to the vacant BOE seat. Alternatively, if he chooses to stay on the BOE, Democrats will make an appointment to the BOS.

For Police Commission, Republican Rance Thompson (3,589 votes) and Democrats Philip Cruz (3,525 votes) and Julia Conlin (3,725 votes) were elected.

Democrat Stephen Sedensky (3,464 votes) and Independent candidate Neil Chaudhary (1,366 votes) were not re-elected to seats.

Joining Republicans Brian Budd and Republican Scott Cicciari, Republicans retained a 3-2 majority on the Police Commission.

Edmond Town Hall, Board Of Finance

For Town Hall Board of Managers, Democrat Jennifer Guman (4,073 votes) was elected over Republican Armel Romeo Kouassi (3,272 votes).

The Board of Finance saw a familiar 3-3 split, with Democrats John Fletcher (3,937 votes), James Gaston (4,063 votes), and Janette Lamoureaux (3,876 votes) elected, to serve with Republican Steven Goodridge (3,945 votes), along with unaffiliated candidates Bryce Chinault (3,858 votes) and Bernard Molloy (3,847 votes), who were endorsed by Republicans.

Only Republican Stephen Csordas (3,806 votes) was not elected to the finance board.

‘Looking Forward To Serving’

Board of Assessment Appeals, Democrat Ed Randall (3,673 votes) and Republican Rob Hawley (3,661 votes) were elected. Joining Republican Kadri Graffeo, Republicans retain a majority on this board.

For Planning & Zoning Commission, Republican Connie Widmann (3,796 votes), and Democrats David Rosen (3,840 votes) and Barbara Manville (3,802 votes) were elected. Democrat Ross Carley (3,549 votes) and Republican Brian Leonardi (3,686 votes) did not receive enough votes for election.

Republicans retained the majority on the P&Z commission, as with Republicans Roy Meadows and Gregory Rich serving terms until 2025, they have a 3-2 majority.

For P&Z Alternates, Democrats Jill Soderholm (3,932 votes) and Peter Schwarz (3,699 votes), and Republican David Landau (3,937 votes) were elected. Republican Pete Radzwillas (3,563 votes) did not get a seat.

For Zoning Board of Appeals, Democrats Don Mitchell (3,877 votes) and Prerna Rao (3,575 votes), and Republican Tiffany Hawley (3,771 votes) were elected. Republicans John Robinson (3,554 votes) and Stephen Riccitelli (3,512 votes) did not gain seats.

Democrats retained its 3-2 control of the ZBA, with Mitchell, Rao, and Hawley joining Democrat Alan Clavette and Republican Rachel Rowan on that board.

Rao also offered thanks to “everyone for turning out to vote.

“We also had a really good turnout. I know that we put a lot of heart into this race, and we were out there knocking on doors and making phone calls every day,” she said Tuesday night.

“So I want to thank everyone for hearing us out and giving us their support at the polls, and we’re looking forward to serving Newtown.”

For Board of Appeals Alternates, Democrat Joe Bojnowski (4,072 votes) and Republicans James O’Connor (3,894 votes) and Peter Wlasuk (3,899 votes) were elected.

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Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com. Reporter Owen Tanzer can be reached at owen@thebee.com.