Politics & Government

Election Results: Most Incumbents Hold Fort, But Some New Faces Added

Keep this tab open in your browser for the latest updates on the 2013 municipal election in Newtown Tuesday.

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A Board of Selectmen running unopposed may have contributed to this year's subpar voter turnout, but some seats shifted hands on Newtown's Legislative Council, and two new faces join the Board of Education.

27-year-old Legislative Council newcomer Ryan Knapp has cemented his position on the council. But in a close District 2 race, he edged out fellow Republican Dan Wiedemann by just 7 votes.

"I was prepared to lose, but not to take the place of my mentor," he told Patch. The race was close enough to qualify for a recount, but Wiedemann said no.

His new Democratic counterpart in District 2 is former State Representative candidate Lisa Romano, who placed second behind Mary Ann Jacob.

Romano credited the exposure she gained in last year's race to helping propel her to victory in the second district.

"I believe I laid the groundwork last year," she told Patch. "A lot of people got to know me last year because I knocked on so many doors. When I made phone calls this year, a lot of people recognized me."

Romano says she was "disappointed" by this year's markedly low turnout.

Find out what's happening in Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"People were energized on the Sandy Hook School vote — I don't know what happened."

She plans to begin learning the ropes of the legislative council, reporting for duty the first week of December.

Find out what's happening in Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I'm starting from scratch, but others have done it before," she said. "I'll be talking to people, and I'm sure people will be giving me feedback on issues. I said I would be listening, and I will."

Additionally, newcomers Michelle Ku and David Freedman will join the Board of Education. Freedman was running to fill a vacancy and was guaranteed a win, but still netted more votes than any other Board of Education candidate. Anthony Filiato also joins the Legislative Council, taking outgoing councilman Jeff Capeci's seat but not his chairmanship. (That will be determined in a future meeting.)

Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia will keep her job, defeating challenger Ann LoBosco Benore by more than 600 votes.

The results from Newtown's 2013 municipal election:

Legislative Council District 1

Robert Merola (Rep) 835
George Ferguson (Rep) 815
Paul Lundquist (Dem) 784
Joe Girgasky (Rep) 753
Thomas Dwyer Jr (Dem) 681
Ross Carley (Dem) 583

Legislative Council District 2

Mary Ann Jacob (Rep) 1035
Lisa Romano (Dem) 911
Daniel Honan (Dem) 878
Ryan Knapp (Rep) 874
Dan Wiedemann (Rep) 867
Eric Paradis (Dem) 703

Legislative Council District 3

Phil Carroll (Rep) 880
Neil Chaudhary (Rep) 854
Daniel Amaral (Dem) 777
Anthony Filato (Rep) 749
Jane Bojnowski (Dem) 652

Board of Education

David Freedman (Rep, Vacancy) 2974
Kathy Hamilton (Rep) 2770
Keith Alexander (Rep) 2645
Debbie Leidlein (Rep) 2631
Michelle Embree Ku (Dem) 2452
Laura Main (Dem) 2383

Town Clerk

Debbie Aurelia (Rep) 2475
Ann LoBosco Benore (Dem) 1812

Selectmen (Unopposed)

Patricia Llodra (Rep) 3659
Will Rodgers (Rep) 2249
James Gaston (Dem) 1824

Board of Finance

John Kortze (Rep) 2855
Harrison Waterbury (Rep) 2833
John Godin (Rep) 2749
Joseph Kearney (Rep) 2825
Michael Portnoy (Dem) 2563
James Filan (Dem) 2537

Planning & Zoning Frank Corigliano (Rep) 2795, Donald Mitchell (Dem) 2506
P&Z Alternate: Frederick Taylor (Rep) 2803, David Ruhs (Rep) 2723, Rudolph J Pozek (Dem) 2482

Zoning Board of Appeals: Barbara O'Connor (Rep) 2823, Alan J Clavette (Dem) 2594
ZBA Alternate: Jane Sharpe (Rep) 2747, Herb Rosenthal (Dem) 2703, Roy Meadows (Rep) 2698


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Here's the spot where you can find the news, updates, goings-on around town and results from the 2013 election.

6:00 p.m. District 1 reports "steady but light turnout," with just over 1,000 votes cast as of 5:00 p.m.

4:15 p.m.: As of 4:00 p.m., here's how Newtown is turning out at the polls:

  • District 1: 922
  • District 2: 1,042
  • District 3.1: 554
  • District 3.2: 228
Overall, 2,746 have voted so far.
1:47 p.m.: Candidates make their final push for the vote at Newtown's polling places.

9:32 a.m.: Taxes are at the top of some Newtown voters' minds, including resident Rich Woycik.

9:23 a.m.: Editor Gary Jeanfaivre voted — did you?

The Ballot: Take a look at the 2013 municipal election ballot online before you see it in the voting booth.

Polling Places: Not sure which district you're in? Here's a map of Newtown's voting districts and a form to look up your district by street address, courtesy of Newtown's registrar of voters.
  • District 1: Newtown Middle School Gym
  • District 2: Reed Intermediate School Cafeteria
  • District 3.1: Head of Meadow School Cafeteria
  • District 3.2: Edmond Town Hall, Lower Meeting Room
The Candidates: If you still haven't made your decision, revisit your choices with Newtown Patch's guide to the candidates.

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