Democrats hold onto majority on Groton Town Council, while Republicans pick up a seat.
Groton — Democrats held onto their majority on the Town Council, winning eight seats, while Republicans picked up one seat.
Democrats ran a platform of economic development, coastal resiliency, COVID-19 response and infrastructure, while Republicans campaigned on a platform to restore two-party rule, opposition to the Mystic Oral School development and greater transparency.
Incumbents Democrats Portia Bordelon, Aundré Bumgardner, Rachael Franco, Juliette Parker and Juan Melendez, along with new Democrats Melinda Cassiere, Bruce Jones and David McBride and Republican Scott Westervelt will be members of the new council. Bordelon was, like in the Democratic primary, the top vote-getter, according to unofficial results.
Nine Democrats and seven Republicans had vied for the nine available seats on the Town Council.
“Tonight’s election results are wonderful," said Democratic Town Committee Vice Chairwoman Natalie Burfoot Billing. “The Town of Groton recognized that the Democrats had fantastic candidates interested in serving their neighbors and community and the voters rewarded the very, very hard work they did going out and knocking on thousands of doors and talking to voters the last three months.”
“While we are disappointed not to have won a lot of seats, we are excited for Scott Westervelt who is our first pickup in over a half a decade,” Republican Town Committee Chairman John Scott said.
Westervelt, who is chairman of the Mystic Oral School Advocates, said he’s honored and looking forward to be “a reasonable voice on the Town Council” and working with everyone to do what’s best for Groton.
Aundre Bumgardner issued a statement Tuesday that he is humbled and honored by the results. “Going door to door, I have met so many individuals that simply want to be heard, and leaders who represent them,” he said. “I say a big thank you and I'm excited to continue to work hard, and most importantly listen.”
The following candidates won four-year terms on the Board of Education: Republicans Andrea Ackerman and Dean Antipas and Democrats Beverly Washington and Katrina Fitzgerald. Democrat Matthew Shulman won the two-year term on the school board.
Due to minority party representation rules, no more than three Democrats could be elected to the Board of Education.
Town Clerk Betsy Moukawsher, a Democrat, was elected to her fourth term in an uncontested race.
The following candidates were elected to the RTM:
District 1: Roscoe Merritt (D), Sheila Perry (D), Joe Baril (D), Adam Puccino (D), Kathy Chase (R), and Karin Adams (R).
District 2: Edward Jacome (D), Beverly Washington (D), Syma Ebbin (D), and Harry A. Watson (R).
District 3: Portia Bordelon (D), Jill Rusk (D), Ian Thomas (D), Autumn Hanscom (D), Neal B. Gardner (R), and Petricia S. Weaver (write in).
District 4: Lian Obrey (D), Jamie Veazie-Williams (D), Susan Hainline (D), Kristen Powers (D), Shawn Powers (D), and Robert Bailey (R)
District 5: Melinda Cassiere (D), Mike Whitney (D), Matt Ivey (D), John Scott (R), and Susan Deane-Shinbrot (R). Burfoot Billing said there could be a recount because there was a three vote difference between the two lowest vote-getters, according to unofficial results.
District 6: Alfred Fritzsche (D), Richard Semeraro (D), Katrina Fitzgerald (D), James Gustavson (D), Diane Barber (R), and Dean Antipas (R),
District 7: Emily Ray (D), Clarence Casper (D), Bruce Jones (D), Jacqui Copp (D), and Lynn Crockett-Hubbard (R).
Candidates who won two positions are slated to resign from one position and another person will serve, explained Burfoot Billing.
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