Date: Fri 06-Nov-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

election-results-politics

Full Text:

Newtown Voters Reassert A Preference For Republicans

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

A total of 7,545 Newtown voters (60 percent) showed up at the polls Tuesday to

participate in what is believed to be the most expensive mid-term election in

American history.

For the most part, Newtowners voted for the status quo.

Locally, some of the faces have changed following the election, but voters

continued to reaffirm their preference for Republicans. For national office,

however, Newtown residents voted for the Democrats, sending Christopher Dodd

and Jim Maloney back to Washington to represent them.

Not surprisingly, Newtown voters were high on incumbent Gov John Rowland and

his running mate, M. Jodi Rell. Statewide, the Republican team won 63 percent

of the vote. In Newtown, the team drew 74 percent of the vote. It was not a

good day for Democrat Barbara Kennelly and her running mate, Joseph Courtney.

They managed just 35 percent of the vote across Connecticut -- only 25 percent

in Newtown.

Rowland's win came without coattails as Democrats enjoyed success across the

state. Danbury Republican Mark Nielsen made it a race in the Fifth

Congressional District, however, losing a close one to one-term incumbent

Democrat Jim Maloney. Mr Nielsen billed himself as a "Rowland Republican."

Coattails probably would not have helped Republican Gary Franks. Christopher

Dodd heads back to the US Senate after collecting 65 percent of the vote to Mr

Franks' 33 percent. The race was a little bit closer in Newtown, but the

incumbent senator still pulled in 60 percent of the support.

McKinney Prevails

In the most heated local battle, Republican John McKinney rolled over Democrat

Tom Ganim, taking 62 percent of the vote -- 4,355-2,786.

Mr McKinney will continue the Republicans' long-standing tradition of

controlling the 28th District state Senate seat. Republican Fred Lovegrove,

who opted not to run again, held the seat since 1982.

"We were ecstatic. There was no surprise," said Marie Sturdevant, Newtown's

Republican Town Committee chair. "He was upbeat and issue-orientated

throughout the campaign."

Rep Julia B. Wasserman (106th District) was returned to her seat in the state

house. To no one's surprise, she handily defeated her independent challenger,

Charles Noe of Bethel, receiving 93 percent of the votes.

Mrs Wasserman, who returns for a fifth term, passed up the celebration of her

victory this week to be with her husband, Dr Louis R. Wasserman, who was

admitted to Danbury Hospital after falling at his home on Walnut Tree Hill

Road Tuesday.

In a race where the outcome was thought to be uncertain, the Republicans held

on to their seat in District 112. Monroe resident Pat Shea received 58 percent

of the vote to beat Democrat Andrew Nunn, also of Monroe. Mrs Shea, who had to

win a primary in July, takes over the seat previously held by Bill Varese, who

did not run for reelection.

Mr Nunn, a budding young politician, got a first-hand look at the district's

Republican influence, picking up just 41 percent.

John Stripp, running unopposed, was returned to his seat in the 135th

District.

Republican Margot Hall, also running unopposed, was reelected as Newtown's

judge of probate.

Close Race In The Fifth

Newtown mirrored the rest of the Fifth Congressional District with 50 percent

of its support going to Mr Maloney. Mark Nielsen of Danbury put up a strong

fight, but lost by about 3,000 votes. This was considered one of the year's

key races for Republicans, who wanted to bolster their control of the

Congress.

Mr Maloney, who said he expected to win by about 2,500 votes, was right on

target, outpolling Mr Nielsen, 77,229-74,944.

Mr Maloney is married to Mary Maloney, the daughter of longtime Newtown

pediatrician Thomas Draper of Taunton Lake Road. Mr Maloney, along with Dr

Draper, stopped by Edmond Town Hall on his victory tour Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs Sturdevant said she was disappointed that Newtown did not support Mr

Nielsen. Of course, she said, "We're very thrilled with Pat Shea's win."

Mrs Sturdevant said voters clearly stated that they do not want an impeachment

of President Bill Clinton. She said the Kenneth Starr report and other attacks

on the President were a detriment in the end.

"You had Republicans working against other Republicans," she said.

Earl J. Smith, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, agreed.

"On a broad spectrum, we were extremely pleased as Democrats," he said. "I

think it was an indication that people have had it with the national scandal

and want to get on with other issues affecting the country."

Mr Ganim's defeat was even more harsh this time around. Two years ago he fared

better in his bid to unseat Mr Lovegrove, a long-time politician. This week,

he lost to a man just starting his political career. Despite running a tough

campaign that highlighted Mr McKinney's associations with US Tobacco, Mr Ganim

didn't make any headway with the voters. He now joins Gary Fetzer of Newtown

on the list of capable Democrats who twice got stopped by the GOP in the 28th

District.

Mr Smith said he is curious to see how much money the McKinney camp spent on

the campaign. It should be a lot, he said, pointing to the numerous

advertisements. Two years ago, Mr Ganim was criticized for spending about a

quarter million dollars.

"Voters split their ticket to a certain extent," First Selectman Herb

Rosenthal said. "I was disappointed that Tom Ganim and Andrew Nunn lost, but I

also want to congratulate the winners and look forward to working with them."

Mr Rosenthal said he hopes Mr McKinney and Mrs Shea show more interest in

Newtown than Mr Stripp, Mr Varese and Mr Lovegrove.

"I've never received a communication from any of them. Not even a post card,"

he said.

In the race for Fairfield County sheriff, Republican Charles M. Valentine, Sr,

defeated Stephen F. DeVito, 102,214-83,751.