Politics & Government

[UPDATED] 2013 Election Results: Incumbents Win Big in Bethel

Board of Selectman stays the same, with only a few changes down-ticket.

With results from all five of Bethel’s voting districts, Democratic incumbent First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker has been reelected, as have incumbent Selectmen Richard Straiton and Paul Szatkowski.

Knickerbocker garnered a total of 2,456 votes to Republican challenger Will Duff’s 1,947 and petitioning candidate Al Vargas’ 24.

[Vote totals updated to include absentee and Election Day Registration ballots. Totals have been certified by the Town Clerk.]

With the race for First Selectman decided, Duff and Vargas were dropped into the Selectmen pool of candidates, however the incumbent Selectmen Straiton (2,353) and Szatkowski (1,987) were able to keep their seats.

The Board of Finance will welcome one newcomer, Republican Bruce Cornwell (2,289), who will take over the seat of outgoing Republican Philip Gallagher.

Republicans Tim Draper (2,605), William Kingston (2,486) and Gary Regan (2,263) were all reelected, defeating Democratic challengers Steven Demoura (2,198) and Janice Stevenson (2,151).

For the Board of Education, at least one member elected Tuesday had to be a Democrat, however Democratic candidate Jennifer Ackerman won in her own right, garnering 2,105 votes, the second highest for that race.

Incumbent Republican Melanie O’Brien was the vote leader for Board of Ed with 2,387. Incoming Republican Nicholas Hoffman came in third with 1,997 and incumbent Stuart Carlsen kept his seat with 1,988 votes.

Incumbent Democrat Ted Stevenson failed to garner enough votes to reclaim his seat, with 1,897.

Other Candidates: Republican Bryan Terzian, 1,979; Democrat Lisa Johnson, 1,944; Democrat Michele Menagay-Marion, 1,824.

Republican candidate for Town Treasurer Daniel O’Grady defeated Democrat Tom O’Leary by a vote of 2,346-1,931.

Republican Steven Deuschle will be joining the Planning and Zoning Commission as the lead vote-getter in Tuesday’s election, with 2,231. Republican incumbents Kitty Grant (2,100) and Pat Rist (2,098) followed, with incumbent Democrat Peter Valenti losing his seat with only 2,060 votes.

Other Candidates: Democrat Noel Gill, 1,895; Democrat Robert Deletis, 1,919.

Democrat Donald Brown (2,752) was elected to serve out a two-year term on the Commission and Republican James Hancock (2,823) to serve as an alternate; both ran unopposed.

On the Zoning Board of Appeals, incumbent Republicans John Streaman (2,541) and Nicholas Santaniello (2,208) will be joined by Democratic candidate Richard Lawlor (2,205), replacing outgoing Republican Peter Verderosa.

Other Candidates: Republican James L’Hernault, 2,065; Democrat Diana Carlino, 1,743.

Repubclian William Foster won for Zoning Board of Appeals alternate over Democrat Gregory Menti, 2,048-1,871.

Two of the three members elected to the Board of Assessment Appeals will be newcomers: Republican Linda Curtis (2,143) and Democrat Amy Mannion (2,084). Republican incumbent Alfred Bernard won reelection with 1,977 votes.

Incumbent Democrat Robert Pitt lost his bid for reelection with only 1,860 votes.

Town Clerk Lisa Bergh was cross-endorsed by all four parties on the ballot and garnered a total of 4,262 votes.

Incoming Republican candidates are replacing outgoing Republican incumbents on the Inland Wetlands and Police Commissions.

Peter Samardak (2,615) and Laura Anne Ferguson (2,515) will take over for Rodney Haas and William Michael on Inland Wetlands, along with incumbent Kenneth Stevens (2,710).

Democrat Robert Wallace gained the least votes in the race, 1,866.

Democrat Raghib Allie-Brennan (2,610) won for Inland Wetlands Commission alternate, unopposed.

And Republicans Anthony Rubino (2,780) and Richard Kolwicz (2,339) will be seated on the Police Commission in place of current incumbent Republicans Daniel Grosso and Nicholas Ellis.

Republican incumbent Hugo Greco won reelection with 2,165 votes over Democratic challengers Skip Clapp (1,876) and Kathleen Shaw (1,827).


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