Seery continues GOP rule in East Lyme
East Lyme — First Selectman-elect Kevin Seery will preside over a Republican-dominated Board of Selectmen now that voters have decided on the town's trajectory for the next two years.
The retired state trooper and current deputy selectman beat Democratic challenger Camille Alberti by 574 votes. He will be sworn in on Dec. 6.
"I'd like to thank my opponent for running a very civil and issue-oriented campaign. So a nice hand to Camille for the manner in which she conducted this campaign," he told supporters at Flanders Fish Market when the results came in. "And for those that couldn't support me, remember the door is always open. I want to hear all ideas and be all inclusive as we move forward."
Seery, 65, has more than two decades of experience as a selectman and school board member. He retired from the Connecticut State Police in 2015 after 28 years of service, most of them spent as the Salem resident state trooper. He served six years in the Navy.
His campaign revolved around fostering a welcoming atmosphere in town and letting residents know he will listen to their concerns. He stressed themes of integrity, education and public safety.
Alberti's "Moving Forward with Team Camille" platform was a four-point plan focused on areas including transparency, financial controls and ethical policies that she often described as lacking in the administration of current First Selectman Mark Nickerson. She lost to Nickerson in 2019 and the two have remained at odds this election season despite the fact he was not running for reelection.
Alberti came by the Republican gathering to congratulate Seery. There, she told The Day she was a little surprised and a little disappointed but was "thankful for Kevin Seery and his devotion to the town. I wish him every success because, if Kevin succeeds, we all succeed."
She acknowledged doing well among absentee voters with 304 votes to Seery's 194, but said she wasn't sure what to attribute her success to.
The highest vote-getter on the Board of Selectmen was Rose Ann Hardy. A lifelong Democrat who failed to land a spot on Team Camille at the party's caucus this summer, Hardy switched to unaffiliated, ran with the Republicans and sailed to victory with 3,117 votes. She got enthusiastic applause and foot stomps from those in the room when Seery congratulated her on her win.
Also elected were Republican Anne Santoro with 2,728 votes, incumbent Democrat Dan Cunningham with 2,714 votes, Democrat Ann Cicchiello with 2,455 votes and Republican Bill Weber with 2,389 votes.
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