Waterford Republicans Dominate Municipal Elections - Again

Another year, another big win for Waterford's Republicans, as the town's GOP dominated the municipal elections for the second consecutive time.

In 2011, the town leaned right, giving control of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Education, Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting all to Republicans. That trend continued this year, with Waterford Republicans maintaing their majorities on all four boards.

"We are strong in the Republican part of this," First Selectman Dan Steward, a Republican, told fellow right-wingers at Waterford Republican headquarters on Boston Post Road following the election. "And that's really going to help us these next two years."

This municipal election was the first time there was no race for First Selectman or any other selectmen, as the town voted to extend the term of those posts from two to fours years in 2010. However, this year all but one of the Republicans that ran for the Board of Education, Board of Finance and RTM won.

"The disadvantage we have, which is an advantage for the town actually, is there are no major disagreements," Waterford Democratic Town Committee Chairman J.W. "Bill" Sheehan said after the election. "And as long as there are no major disagreements, there is no reason to change horses."

Races

On the Board of Education, incumbent Republican Kathleen McCarty - the chairwoman of the board - earned another term, as well as newcomer Republican Lisa Barry. On the Democrat side, incumbent Anne Ogden was elected to another term, along with Gregory Benoit, who has previously served on the board.

Fellow Democrats Donald Blevins and Jessica McLaughlin both lost their bids to be elected to the Board of Education. Both previously served on the board before being elected out of office in 2011.

On the Board of Finance, Republican incumbents Ron Fedor - the chairman of the board - and Norman Glidden both earned another term. Mark Wiggins, a Republican incumbent, was defeated.

On the Democrat side, Elizabeth Sabilia earned a spot on the seven-person board. Sabilia is currently a member of the RTM and was previously the mayor of New London.

On the RTM, 13 of the 22 spots will now be occupied by Republicans. Overall, 24 people ran for the RTM and only two - Democrats Atul Shah and Beau St. Hilaire - were not elected.

To see the full results of Waterford's 2013 municipal elections, click here. 

What is your reaction to the results of Waterford's municipal election?