NORWALK, Conn. — Democrats scored sweeping victories in Norwalk’s municipal election Tuesday night, securing the mayor’s office and maintaining supermajorities on both the Common Council and Board of Education, according to unofficial results.
At the Democratic Town Committee’s election-night gathering, Chair Colin Hosten announced that Barbara Smyth had won the mayoral race, calling it “a healthy margin” and noting one of the highest voter turnouts in recent years.
“Tonight marks the beginning of a new chapter for our city,” Smyth told supporters. “As your mayor-elect, I promise to lead every Norwalker — regardless of neighborhood, background, or party. I will listen, I’ll engage, and I’ll work every day to bring our community together.”
Smyth, a former teacher and longtime council member, becomes only the second woman ever elected to the position. Her campaign focused on strengthening public schools, improving infrastructure, responsibly growing the tax base, and ensuring Norwalk remains affordable.
Rilling, who served 12 years as mayor and previously as police chief, reflected on his tenure and lauded Smyth’s leadership.
“I’ve watched Barbara over the past eight years develop into a leader who listens, makes wise decisions, and isn’t afraid of the hard ones,” Rilling said. “The city of Norwalk appreciates our Democratic values. They see what’s happening around the country and are saying, ‘We don’t want that.’”
Hosten said the unofficial results reflected continued confidence in Democratic leadership.
“It looks like a good night for Democrats — and a good night for all residents of Norwalk,” he told the crowd. “It looks like we are going to have our Democratic supermajorities intact on the Council and on the Board of Education.”
Council and Board Results
According to the unofficial results, Democrats won every at-large Common Council seat and retained majorities in all five voting districts, leaving no Republican representation on the city’s 15-member legislative body. On the Board of Education, Democratic candidates also swept all available seats, maintaining a clear supermajority that will shape district policy for the next two years.
Town Clerk Rick McQuaid said official results would be certified on Wednesday once moderators complete final paperwork. He confirmed the count proceeded smoothly, with no tabulator malfunctions, though paperwork delayed certification.
For Smyth, the night ended with gratitude — and a call for unity.
“Together, as one community, we’ll keep Norwalk moving forward with opportunity, inclusion, and progress for everyone… This is an incredible day for Norwalk.”
Statement from the Norwalk Democratic Town Committee
“Norwalk Democrats are celebrating a resounding and decisive victory in Tuesday’s municipal elections — some of the largest margins in decades. Council President Barbara Smyth was elected as Mayor, succeeding Harry Rilling’s six successful terms, and Democrats will retain supermajorities on the Council and the Board of Education.
The Norwalk DTC is deeply grateful to every voter who showed up at the polls. This is what democracy looks like.
But this is not just a win for Norwalk Democrats. From South Norwalk to Cranbury, East Norwalk to Rowayton, voters made the choice to continue investing in our public schools so that our students and teachers get the support they need to succeed. Norwalk voters chose to redouble our efforts to protect working families — whether they’re buying their first home or downsizing in their senior years — and to support a sustainable and diverse tax base that creates more pathways for folks to live and thrive here while keeping up with the rising cost of living exacerbated by the President’s reckless economic ‘policy.’ Norwalk voters saw ICE officers kidnapping our neighbors off the streets, saw SNAP benefits being used as political props, and emphatically said, No: that’s not how we make Norwalk great. That’s a powerful statement to send to our leaders in Washington.
Tuesday’s election is a win for accountable leadership and inclusive government over grievance-driven inexperience. Now is the time to govern. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively to ensure that every Norwalk resident is afforded the dignity and quality of life that they deserve. We remain honored to serve you every day.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you,” the committee said in a written statement.
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