New London — Democrats swept the election on Tuesday, securing all of the 14 available seats on both the City Council and Board of Education.

The news led to an eruption of cheers at Little Galapagos Restaurant where Democrats had gathered to collect vote totals. Council President Efrain Dominguez said he hoped the decisive win put to rest the speculation among some pundits that there was a disconnect between the council and residents.

“The council we have and really the Democratic Party is going in the right direction. The people of New London spoke two years ago and spoke again today. How much more louder can they get,” Dominguez said.

The new all-Democratic City Council includes Dominguez and incumbents John Satti, Reona Dyess and James Burke. They will be joined by former council member Martha Marx and newcomers Carmen Jocelyn Rosario and Akil Peck.

Satti, Marx and Burke were the top three vote-getters in an election that Satti acknowledged did not have a strong turnout. Early results show an 18% voter turnout.

“I just appreciate the support from the people that did come out,” Satti said.

Democrats have highlighted successes over the last two years that have included a vote to fund a $30 million regional community recreation center, a vote to reduce entry fees for residents at Ocean Beach Park and approval of consecutive budgets that have not raised taxes.

The Republican slate was led by former council member and mayoral candidate Marty Olsen, who was the top vote-getter among Republicans. Olsen had joined with fellow Republicans this year in a campaign buoyed by the voters rejection of the council’s vote to remove a minimum police staffing ordinance. The platform for Republicans has been “safer city, cleaner streets and better schools.”

“I’m a firm believer and always have been that we get as a good a government as we demand,” Olsen said. “This is obviously disappointing but we’ll move on and continue to try to effectuate changes from a minority position. The electorate has spoken. We congratulate the victors. Our group worked hard and I’m proud of them.”

On the Board of Education side, the winners included incumbents Bryan Doughty, Elaine Maynard Adams, Jefferey Hart and newcomers Danni Cruz, Bianca Alexis, Nathan Caron and Frank Anthony Silva,

Cruz, 18, is a 2021 graduate of New London High School who was chosen earlier this year to fill a vacant spot on the board.

“It’s my first time voting and I’m on the ballot,” Cruz said. “This win shows the community has put trust in me and believes young people can make a difference. I made my family proud today.”

Marx, who is also chair of the Democratic Town Committee and last served on the council in 2017, said the victory was the result of a lot of door knocking and calls from candidates to constituents.

“We work hard for every vote,” she said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Green Party candidate Kris Wraight said that while Green Party representation on the council and school board would have been a victory, she was also focused on reaching more residents.

“More voter participation would be a win,” Wraight said.

 g.smith@theday.com