The wait for the of the Republican caucus seemed longer than the campaign itself. After the polls closed at 8:30 on Tuesday night at Saxe Middle School, the candidates, their families and supporters, anxiously awaited the final tally.
At 12:16 a.m. on Wednesday, moderator Dennis Taylor made the announcement most had come for.
"In the race for First Selectman, Giusti 907 votes, Mallozzi 1,313."
And with that, the hotly-contested race for the Republican nomination for First Selectman was over.
"I'm extremely happy with the outcome," Mallozzi said. "I've been around this town for a long time, people know me, I didn't have to advertise myself. I've been Selectman for the last four years. People knew my management style and I really appreciate that they voted for me."
Mallozzi beat Giusti by a strong margin of 406 votes. It marked the second time in four years that the owner of has won a campaign against Giusti. In 2007, Mallozi earned the Selectman's position over Giusti.
"It's unfortunate that in campaigns, there has to be a winner and a loser," Giusti said. "I thought I ran a good, honest campaign that really focused on the issues. I want to congratulate Rob and thank my supporters who worked incredibly hard."
The battle for the Republican nomination for Selectman was not much of a contest. Nick Williams, chairman of the Board of Education, came through with a big win over John Engel 1,324 to 755.
"As my wife said, 'it's Christmas in July,' Williams said. "I am truly humbled that the voters voted me in. This is a terrific town, one of the best in the country. John [Engel] ran a great campaign. It was a tough race and I'm thankful that I won."
Locking down the four spots for Town Council were candidates who New Canaan is quite familiar with. Stephen Karl (1,538), Tucker Murphy (1,439) and Kenneth Campbell (1,005) all earned the right to be on the November ballot as endorsed Republican candidates.
E. Roger Williams (1,006) also won the right to be on the ballot as a party-endorsed candidate.
"I'm very thankful," Williams, who is currently the New Canaan Fire Commissioner, said. "I'm honored to represent this party. This campaign brought out a lot of issues that need to be addressed."
There will be no change at the position of Town Clerk. Claudia Weber, who has held the job since 1998, edged Jennifer Purdy in a tight race 1,120-947.
As history shows, whoever wins this caucus, usually wins the general election in the fall, which will be held on November 8.
(Editor's Note: This article has been changed from the original version to reflect the fact that candidates for the Town Council did not win seats on the council, but rather won the right to be on the November ballot as Republican party-endorsed candidates. Patch thanks reader David Kostek for bringing this to our attention.)
What unsportsmanlike behavior!! Perhaps this is why your opponent lost?
Nope. I didn't say anything at all about why Steve Karl won, but I'd guess that his role as a local merchant worked to his benefit as well.
I'm not off-message because I'm not trying to sell a message. I was merely making an observation.
It also didn't hurt that our committee was comprised of a very diverse group of residents. Good luck, I know you'll do a great job, and please let's come together as a party.
We disagreed on many issues and had healthy debate on them. This forum (and others) tried also to keep the candidates and their supporters in check on facts and statements. Sometimes we disagreed substantially (and sometimes angrily), but most often those debates were based on facts. Each side may also see the same facts through a different lens or from a different perspective/interpretation. It's been fun, frustrating at times, but in the end when we are each challenged to support the statements we make here (or anywhere), it causes each of us to ensure our statements are in fact supportable. Thanks to those who have read my comments here----I've received many compliments and I thank you for that. I received some expressions not as flattering, and that's helpful too. Speaking out forces one to learn about what one is saying, and I have certainly learned a tremendous amount about our town govt in this process and have become an educated citizen/voter. And ultimately, isn't that a desired outcome---in fact, requirement---of a democracy?? Thank you.
Actually, no one won a seat on the Town Council last night. They won the Republican party's endorsements to appear on the ballot as nominated Republicans. Now, I grant that is is EXTREMELY unlikely that any of those endorsed by the GOP last night would somehow lose out in November. But, a Republican could force a primary, for example, and ultimately end up on the ballot instead of one of the four who won endorsements last night. If the Democratic party nominated four candidates as well, voters could elect three of each. Or, voters could elect a Green party candidate (hey, you never know!) or someone running on another party line. Again, these scenarios are all very unlikely in New Canaan, I know. But it is imprecise to say anyone "won" a position in town government last night.
And, I agree with SCC: I don't know how anyone can say "what" the voters have spoken about. Rob beat Paul in 2007; now he beat him again. What did the voters "speak" about last time?