Robert Congdon, a bedrock Republican Connecticut yankee, is now in his 20th year as the first selectman of Preston, a feat that has required 10 straight election victories, the last in 2013. It is fair to say he is tight-fisted when it comes to spending money, more specifically, Preston money.

The town government in Preston is bare bones, the town hall old, tired and long in the eaves, and only somewhat functional. The town motto could be, "If we can live without it, we will."

But this fiscal conservative concedes that a couple of Democrats have done well by the town, which made for interesting choices when Congdon filled out the ovals on his election ballot. Because while Congdon tries to be as frugal as he can be, he recognizes that Preston needs to do something to boost its tax base. Even the people of prudent Preston can only squeeze a dime so hard.

Since the mid-1990s, the greatest hope for expanding the tax base has been redevelopment of the former Norwich State Hospital property, since renamed Preston Riverwalk by town officials who want it to conjure up visions of future prosperity, not hauntings from its asylum past.

During Congdon's time in office, the efforts to redevelop the 393-acre property have attracted hucksters and dreamers, but no genuine players. The state, which abandoned the property and eventually turned it over to the town, neglected the property and made only half-hearted attempts to market it.

At least until the current administration under Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, said Congdon. The Democratic governor has been a true partner, he said, in working with the town to get the old buildings torn down and the place cleaned up, boosting chances for future redevelopment.

Last January, the state awarded Preston a $5 million Urban Act grant. As a result building demolition is nearly complete on the campus, including the largest and most difficult structure, the Kettle Building. Helping secure the grant was freshman state Rep. Timothy Bowles, also a Democrat, who previously served as a selectman in town and ran twice against Congdon for first selectman.

Both Malloy and Bowles were up for re-election Nov. 4. The governor won re-election, though he lost Preston 937-782, while Bowles lost in a rematch with Republican Mike France, a Ledyard town councilor. His loyalties torn between the Democrats who helped the Riverwalk redevelopment and loyalty to fellow Republicans, Congdon said he essentially sat out the election, not advocating for anyone.

"I'm not going to tell you who I voted for," said Congdon when I pressed him. "But I will say I did not vote straight party lines."

Congdon said Bowles success in landing a big grant for his hometown of Preston, and his paying so much attention to Preston Riverwalk, may have hurt him in Ledyard. The 42nd District includes Preston, most of Ledyard and a sliver of Montville.

Indeed, France won big in Ledyard, 2,454-1,591. Bowles won in Preston, 983-743, but by not nearly enough, while also losing in Montville, 716-549, normally a Democratic town. The total was an easy France victory, 3,913-3,123.

Bowles said there may be something to Congdon's theory, but he added it was not as if he ignored Ledyard. During Bowles' term Ledyard received a maximum $500,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant to continue efforts to revitalize Ledyard Center.

Bowles attributes his defeat to a strong opponent and the fact the economic recovery in southeastern Connecticut has lagged behind that in much of the state.

"A lot of people were angry, they wanted change and it made it a tough day for incumbent Democrats in this area," Bowles said.

Paul Choiniere is the editorial page editor.

p.choiniere@theday.com

Twitter: @Paul_Choiniere