New London Mayor Michael Passero swept into office in November with momentum he gained during the Democratic primary two months earlier. In the Sept. 16 primary Passero had faced incumbent Democratic mayor Daryl Justin Finizio, the first elected mayor in nearly a century following a charter change.

Passero was endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee and handily defeated Finizio with promises of a professional administration, a more open government and less drama.

Passero coasted to victory in the November election where he had faced Republican challenger Bill Vogel. For at least the first two years of his administration Passero will work with an entirely Democratic City Council. The only Republican city councilor, Martin Olsen, was defeated by three votes by Democratic incumbent Efrain Dominguez.

-- Greg Smith