Breaking the long-held tradition of separate Republican and Democratic post-election night gatherings, politicians from both sides of the political aisle crowded the backroom at Valentino’s in Ledyard Tuesday night to analyze results, celebrate, and commiserate.
There in the midst of it was Republican Mayor Fred Allyn Jr., two years into a four-year term that has been anything but rosy, despite his party having a plurality on the Town Council.
And Republicans held their edge Tuesday, capturing at least five of the nine seats, and placing first, second and third in vote tallies ahead of perennial top vote-getter, Democrat David Holdridge. Just one vote separates Democratic incumbent William Saums and Republican incumbent Tom McAvoy, so a recount could decide that seat.
But there was Mayor Allyn Tuesday night, offering congratulations to the victors, regardless of party affiliation.
"Why shouldn’t we all get together, we’re all good people and we all have the same interest," he said.
Sounds nonpartisan, right? Well here’s the catch. It is Allyn’s own party, particularly the Republican councilors, who have hounded him and criticized his management style for the past six months. After a year of protecting him, and trying to reason with him, Republicans got fed up with his over-dependence on legal counsel, secretiveness, failure to communicate, and dysfunctional management of Town Hall. They started forcing him to be accountable, and publicly pointed out his blunders.
And the Democrats silently sat back and let the Republicans do all the heavy lifting, and that hurt the Democrats Tuesday. Out of nine seats, they placed fourth (Holdridge,) sixth (former mayor and state representative Mary McGrattan,) eighth (Sharon Wadecki) and maybe ninth (Bill Saums, if he can hang onto his one-vote margin of victory.) 
The Democrats should have done better for the people of Ledyard. The top vote-getter for Town Council was Republican Linda Davis, among the most vocal in challenging Mayor Allyn.
"It’s partisan. It’s Republican against Republican," Allyn said Tuesday, when asked about the political climate he works in.
The next two years will be interesting. The mayor sees potential allies in the new GOP councilors that were elected: Terry Jones, Sean Sullivan, and John Marshall.
A former councilor, Jones said Tuesday night, "Fred and I can talk, but we all need to work together. He’s not going to get a free ride."
Hang on to your hats, Ledyard. There could well be a duel for Town Council chairmanship between Davis and Jones. And the self-described "amiable dictator" Fred Allyn Jr. will have either met his match or get a free pass.