Politics & Government

UPDATED: Duff, Szatkowski Win by Triple Digits in GOP Primary

Candidates look forward to uniting the party before November's elections.

Bethel Republican voters chose to go with the party-endorsed candidates by decisive margins in Tuesday's primary election.

First Selectman candidate Will Duff defeated challenger and former First Selectman Robert Burke by a margin of 174 votes, 424-250.

[Article updated Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. with certified results.]


Incumbent Selectman Paul Szatkowski endured his challenge, as well, edging out Robert Crnic by 173 votes, 415-242.

For the Police Commission, the three caucus endorsed nominees — Hugo Greco, Anthony Rubino and Richard Kolwicz — garnered 441, 524 and 491 votes, respectively, keeping them ahead of challenger Kevin Gallagher, who gained 229 votes Tuesday.

In all, 652 ballots were cast in the primary, representing 21.6 percent of the town’s 3,014 registered Republicans.

Szatkowski, running for his fifth term as a Selectman, said he was disappointed in the turnout.

“This is one vote where local people really have an impact on what happens in town,” he said.

However, with the slate now set for November, “It’s not just about five individuals," as it was with the primary, Szatkowski said. “It’s a platform of 30 people — this is where it gets to be about all of the ticket,” noting that much of the town’s operations are handled by positions ‘down ticket.’

“I have to show the people of Bethel that I’m a uniter and I can get people to follow me,” Duff said of moving forward, stating that his first task would be “a matter of uniting the Republican Party.”

Duff, who has made a bid for the First Selectman seat in the past but will be at the top of his ticket for the first time this November, said he was excited Tuesday night but that it was also “a bit nerve wracking.”

“We’re up against a two-term incumbent who is not as popular as he has been in the past,” Duff said, as he believes current First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker is vulnerable.

“This is really a full time job,” Duff said Tuesday, stating that a priority of the First Selectman’s job should be to be on the ground, interacting with residents. “He [Knickerbocker] needs to come down from his ivory tower and get in touch with Bethel.”


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