Local Political Landscape Is Losing Incumbents

By John Voket

With a little more than a month before the local Democratic and Republican Town Committees meet to caucus and put forth endorsed candidates for the November election, numerous high-profile boards are facing the prospect of losing incumbents who have already announced they will not seek reelection. Other political leaders have alluded privately and publicly that they are leaning toward not running.

Tops among those leaders is First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, who said he was still about a week away from making a firm decision, but may consider other offers for positions “of interest” to him outside the local political arena.

“Family considerations are also weighing on me to not to run again,” he said. “But I’m very flattered by the bipartisan support for me to run again.”

Mr Rosenthal, a Democrat, went as far as saying he was feeling substantial pressure from among fellow Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters to consider running for at least one more term.

“Certainly there are a lot of projects I’d like to see completed,” Mr Rosenthal said. “I enjoy the job, and I haven’t seen any other viable candidates [announcing], which makes the decision even more difficult.

“I know I have to finalize my decision quickly,” the first selectman added.

No matter what decision Mr Rosenthal makes in the coming days, the top elected board will be welcoming at least one new Republican member. This week, GOP Selectman William Brimmer, Jr, told The Bee he was not going to seek another term.

“To do the Board of Selectmen’s job right now you have to be able to give 100 percent,” Mr Brimmer said. “But I have family things going on and something has to give.”

The outgoing selectman said his decision has nothing to do with recent politically motivated activities, including being named in a federal lawsuit over his official role in the purchase and development of Fairfield Hills.

Rodgers Running Again

On the Legislative Council, Republican Chairman Will Rodgers has also not ruled out a possible shift. While the Iraq war veteran is all but committed to continuing his political service in some area of local government, all he would say when contacted was that he was not going to run for the first selectman seat.

“I will run for an office, but I haven’t decided which office yet,” Mr Rodgers said. “It definitely won’t be first selectman under any circumstances.”

Councilwoman Patricia Llodra said this week that while she had considered withdrawing from public service after this term, she has decided to run for her Second District council seat again, or any other office the RTC might recommend except the first selectman’s seat.

“I was discouraged for a long time about my ability to make a difference, but it’s a fight worth fighting,” she said. “And if the RTC asks me to run for a selectman’s position, I would consider it.”

A number of council members, however, have made up their minds to not run this fall. The council will be losing Third District Republican David Brown, who said it would not be fair to the town if he ran.

“We’re considering a possible move within the two-year term of service,” Mr Brown said, adding there were also other considerations related to increasing job responsibilities as a professor at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport.

He will be joined by Second District Republican Stacie Doyle, who said she is departing the council after her first term because of “personal family priorities.” Ms Doyle, who moved to Newtown just three years ago from Cincinnati, said her term provided an education in the functions of Newtown’s government as a whole, and the roles the town and school system play in the big picture of local government.

While admitting to leaning toward not running again, First District Republican Joseph DiCandido said he is still a few days away from deciding on his political future.

“Is six years enough?” he asked rhetorically. “I’m already at my own self-imposed term limit.”

Another First District GOP councilman, Michael Iassogna, said this week he was definitely departing the council as well. The six-term councilman said increasing demands on him at his workplace were forcing him to choose between the complex commitment to public service and the effectiveness he has at his company.

“It’s more about the job,” he said Wednesday. “Right now there are a number of complex issues facing the town, and our council really has to dig in and concentrate on facts and figures, which require more time than I have right now with my work commitments.”

Admitting one of his favorite aspects of the elected office was deliberating and refining the municipal budgets, Mr Iassogna said he would not rule out future public service if the time was right and the opportunity presented itself.

Considering Top Seat

Another Second District GOP councilman, Joseph Borst, may be departing the council. He has admitted to considering a possible run for the first selectman’s seat.

That notion was further cemented after sources close to the party said Mr Borst interviewed for the first selectman’s position this week with the Republican Town Committee’s candidate’s subcommittee.

“Never say never,” said the councilman when asked recently if he would seek the top local seat in November.

Another possible Republican first selectman contender could force an August primary if Mr Borst follows through on his candidacy for first selectman. Board of Education member Paul Mangiafico has said in the past that he is considering a possible run for the first selectman’s job as well.

Mr Mangiafico confirmed this week he would not seek another term on the school board.

Republican School board member Andrew Buzzi, Jr, told The Bee this week he would not seek reelection or entertain running for another political office at this time.

“I know you are aware of all the time it takes to be on the school board,” he said in a written correspondence. “Unfortunately, given the age of my kids…I want to be there [for them].”

Mr Buzzi, who is an attorney, said his intention was not to disengage completely, “...but I won’t be able to run for the board for another term,” he said.

Democrat David Nanavaty has not withdrawn his candidacy for another school board term, but sources close to the Democratic party have suggested he may not have adequate support among fellow party members to secure a Democratic Party endorsement for another run. Similar sentiment was expressed about freshman council member Keith Jacobs.

If either official fails to receive the endorsement of the Democratic party, the option is still open for them or anyone else to seek a petition position on the November ballot.

The school board internally elected an interim member to complete the term of recently resigned member Thomas Gissen. But it was unclear whether that interim member, Democrat Lillian Bittman, would receive the party’s endorsement for a full term.

On the other hand, Democrat Anna Wiedemann remains her party’s top choice to run for the party’s first open seat on the school board. Sources in the Democratic Town Committee have said Ms Wiedemann enjoys as much as 80 percent of the support of the party, as well as the support of numerous GOP and unaffiliated leaders and residents.

This week, Assistant Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia was a near-unanimous choice to become the interim replacement for departing Town Clerk Cynthia Simon, who is moving out of state in the coming weeks. This puts her in line to become the GOP’s candidate of choice for the office on the November ballot as well.

Currently, there are no Democratic contenders positioned to challenge Ms Aurelia, although it is expected that the opposing party will have a town clerk candidate for the November race by the time of the party caucus.