Groton ― Democrats and Republicans have released their slates of endorsed candidates for the upcoming November town elections, which will include the Town Council, Representative Town Meeting and seats on the Board of Education.

Fifteen candidates ― nine Democrats, including five incumbents, and six Republicans ― are so far vying for seats on the nine-member Town Council.

The Democratic Town Committee endorsed incumbents Portia Bordelon, Rachael Franco, Bruce Jones, David McBride and Juliette Parker, as well as Dan Gaiewski, Jill Rusk, Adam J. Puccino, Sr., and Roscoe Merritt.

The Republican Town Committee endorsed Diane Barber, Robert Boris, Kathy Chase, Bruce McDermott, Mitchell Shinbrot, Kristen Venditti and Harry Watson.

McDermott said he resigned his candidacy on the Republican slate on Tuesday, but not from the party itself, and plans to run on the Independent Party slate. The Groton Independent Party is expected to release its slate of candidates later this week.

Democratic incumbents Juan Melendez, Jr., the town’s mayor, and Edward Jacome, and Republican incumbent Scott Westervelt, the sole Republican on the council, are not running for reelection to the council, according to party chairmen.

Board of Education

Republicans endorsed John Scott, Jennifer White and Dan Hetzel for four-year terms on the Board of Education. Scott was endorsed also for a two-year term.

Democrats endorsed incumbents William Horgan and Matthew Shulman, as well as Ian Thomas, Adrian Johnson and Katrina Fitzgerald for four-year terms on the board. Democrats endorsed Shulman also for a two-year term.

Incumbent Democrats Kim Shepardson Watson, who is the board’s chair, Elizabeth Porter and Rita Volkmann and incumbent Republican Jay Weitlauf are not running for reelection, according to party leaders.

Representative Town Meeting

For RTM, Democrats endorsed Joe Baril, Roscoe Merritt, Sheila Perry and Lisa Luck for District 1; Doris Pulaski, Sandra Fetters, Jackie Massett and Paul Norris for District 2; Christy McElroy, Autumn Hanscom, Michael Gardiner and Deb Patrick for District 3; Shawn Powers, Kristen Powers, Chelsea Meade, Andrew Parrella, Lian Obrey and Jaime Veazie-Williams for District 4; Gary Welles, Mike Whitney, Matt Ivey and Melendez for District 5; Al Fritzsche, Genevieve Cerf, William Keep and Paul Fox for District 6; and Emily Norman, Sarah Kadden, Clarence Casper and Alexis Dudden for District 7.

The Republicans endorsed Karin Adams, Beth Ann Robinson and Joseph Alu for District 1; Harry Watson and Matthew Longino for District 2; Neal Gardner and Marie Carmella Robertson for District 3; Robert Bailey and Hetzel for District 4; Susan Deane-Shinbrot and Rosanne Kotowski for District 5; Emma Gibbs, Alexander Antipas, Thomas Frickman and Gulshan Soni for District 6; and Lynn Crockett Hubbard for District 7.

k.drelich@theday.com