Norwalk voters have spoken – loudly

NORWALK, Conn. – Norwalk voters spoke Tuesday, definitively in most local cases.

Republican voters repudiated the local party leadership by rejecting both endorsed candidates – Emily Wilson for state representative in the 142^nd District and John Federici in the Registrar of Voters race.

In fact statewide, only six party-backed candidates lost, and half of them were in Norwalk (Democrat David Watts was the other). Two were from Bridgeport, and one of those was former felon Ernie Newton.

Democrats spoke out loud as well, sending two incumbents back to Hartford while sending a tough message to a pair of aggressive local activists, one of who won the party backing in a close May election.

In the Republican statewide races, Norwalk couldn’t make up its mind between giving Tom Foley another crack at Gov. Dannel P. Malloy or letting John McKinney give it go. Voters here chose McKinney by the narrowest of margins – 798-770 – with Foley winning statewide. Heather Somers polled 666 votes to outdistance Penny Bacchiochi (498) and David Walker (353). Statewide, it was so close there will likely be a recount. For controller, Sharon McLaughlin easily won, 1,045-81, Norwalk over Angel Cadena. She also won the statewide tally.

But it was the local races that grabbed the attention of the relative handful of Norwalk voters who turned out on a cloudy late-summer Tuesday.

The Republican registrar race pitted Norwalk Republicans against each other as the RTC leadership made a concerted effort to replace Lyons, a 14-year veteran who, RTC Chairman Pete Torrano said, had been on thin ice for nearly half that time. Lyons was attacked publicly for her competence, personality and work habits, but, in the end won the support of enough citizens to eke out what appears to be a victory, 852-710, over mild-mannered John Federici.

Much of the grumbling over the GOP state rep race to replace retiring 11-term rep and House Minority Leader Larry Cafero was kept in-house. Emily Wilson won the backing of virtually all the major Republican figures, save for former Mayor Richard Moccia, who stuck loyally by the side of the man who guided his budgeting for eight years. Wilms, a banker with a deep political background in Norwalk, easily defeated Wilson, who lost a run for Common Council a year ago and has been involved in some controversy as a Zoning Commission member. Wilms won, 442-209.

On the Democratic side, two polarizing figures who had plotted their course for the past two years thought they could convert a fresh approach and a stated passion for the poor and working people into votes. Both were involved in controversial public displays while on the Council from 2011 to 2013. Warren Peña failed in his re-election bid and was caught up in public controversy again as chairman of the board for South Norwalk Community Center (SoNoCC), battling with the troubled Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now (NEON) and firing two volunteers who were running the center’ day-to-day operations.

David Watts found himself a constant target for his delinquent property taxes, attendance at committee meetings, his push for taxpayer-supplied iPads and frequent complaints about having to endure slings and arrows while not getting paid. He also was frequently called out for his evasiveness about what he has done for work in the past, and how he planned to help Norwalk if he was sent to Hartford.

The controversy did not play well against a five-term House Commerce Committee chairman and a four-term assistant House whip. Chris Perone (D-137) said he had not had time to organize his campaign during the legislative session, citing it as a reason for losing the caucus vote to Watts. Watts, who had been rising money for more than a year, tried to bash Perone for taking money from lobbyists and booze distributers, but it did not resonate with voters. Perone posted a 502-284 win Tuesday in the 137^th state rep race.

Bruce Morris (D-140) had controversies of his own, including a video from the mid 2000’s in which he came out strongly against gay marriage – not against gay rights. Morris also was criticized for holding a part-time, $80,000 a year job with the schools while spending most of February through June in Hartford, but again, the charges were not enough to take him down. Morris topped Peña by nearly a 3-to-1 margin – 599-213, to win the 140^th state rep race.

There are no Republican candidates for the 137^th or 140^th districts. Minor party candidates have until Sept. 4 to file papers. The Republicans do have a placeholder in the 137^th, and could mount a challenge to Perone. A paperwork snafu ruined the RTC’s plan to do the same in the 140^th.

Wilms will face former Town Clerk and mayoral candidate Andy Garfunkel in the Republican stronghold of the 142^nd District. Garfunkel served 10 years as clerk before challenging Moccia in 2011 and losing by less than 1,000 votes.

There will be a race in the 143^rd District covering parts of Norwalk, Wilton and Westport as Republican Gail Lavielle is challenged by Keith Rodgerson. And state Sen. Bob Duff (D-25) will be faced with a test from Republican Bill Dunne, a nationally recognized conservative speech writer and essayist.

The general election will be held Nov. 4.