Groton ― The City of Groton’s municipal elections could be uncontested this fall.

While city Democrats endorsed incumbent Mayor Keith Hedrick, who is seeking his fourth term, and endorsed a full slate of candidates for City Council and City Clerk on July 19, Republicans said Tuesday they were unable to find candidates to run in November.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue with the projects that we started and to support the residents of the City of Groton,” Hedrick said.

City Democrats nominated incumbent City Councilors Gwen Depot, who is deputy mayor, Paul Norris, Christine Piazza and Stephen Sheffield, as well as Erin Artale and Tony Patterson for City Council, according to Jean-Claude Ambroise, chairman of the city’s Democratic Committee.

City Democrats also endorsed incumbent Danielle “Dani” Baycura for City Clerk.

“The Democratic slate of candidates endorsed at our Groton City Democratic Committee (GCDC) meeting represents a deliberate, transparent and equitable process that began over a year ago when we formed the nominating committee in 2022,” Ambroise said in a statement. “The committee was asked to seek individuals willing to volunteer their time for the betterment of the City of Groton as an elected official.”

Two-term City Councilor Lisa McCabe said she is not running for reelection for personal reasons to focus on her family. She also thinks it’s healthy to bring in fresh perspectives.

City Councilor Rashaad Carter, who is completing his third term, said he is not seeking reelection to allow time to work on personal and professional plans. Carter said he was accepted into a doctorate degree program and also would like to spend more time with his family. He and his family recently welcomed their last child. He also has a few years before he retires from the state police and wants to finish that work and then return to politics in some capacity after he retires as a trooper.

Carter added that in working with the other councilors, he knows it’s a strong council, so now is a good time for him to take a break.

Robert Zuliani, chairman of the Groton City Republican Committee, said that unfortunately at the committee caucus meeting on Monday, “the committee was unable to find qualified, interested candidates to run for City Council for the city election in November.”

“A temporary Vacancy Committee was established should interested individuals decide to run for office,” he added. Candidates have until 4 p.m. on Aug. 9 to register as a write-in candidate or file a primary petition, according to the Office of the Secretary of the State.

City elections, held in May in past election cycles, will now be held in November.

k.drelich@theday.com