Election Night 2025 was a victorious one for the Democrats in greater Fairfield County as several Republican incumbent mayors and first selectmen lost, according to unofficial results from the state Secretary of the State’s office.
The Democrats who replaced GOP incumbents included Kevin Christie, the first person of color elected first selectman of Westport; Dr. David Chess in Stratford, Bruce Walczak in Newtown, Pat DelMonaco in New Fairfield and Rich Smith in Milford. Respectively, they replaced First Selectwoman Jen Tooker of Westport, who didn’t run; Mayor Laura Hoydick and Mayor Tony Giannattasio.
See related story on Westchester election results
Christie, who ran with second selectman candidate Amy Wistreich, defeated Don O’Day and Andrea Moore, 4,974-3,256. DelMonaco beat Melissa Lindsey, a Republican, 2,537-2,208 and Smith defeated Giannattasio by a count of 9.964-8,059.
Barbary Smyth, the second woman to be elected mayor of Norwalk, replaced Democratic Mayor Harry Rilling, who retired. She defeated Vinny Scicchitano, a Republican, 10,367-7,098, and Chess defeated Hoydick, 7,879-6,450.
As for incumbent mayors and first selectmen, Democrats kept their seats in Brookfield, Danbury, Sherman, Stamford, Trumbull. They included First Selectman Steve Dunn, Mayor Roberto Alves, First Selectman Don Lowe, Mayor Caroline Simmons and First Selectman Vicki Tesoro, respectively. Republican incumbents were victorious in Bethel, Easton, Greenwich, Monroe and Shelton. The winners included First Selectman Dan Carter, First Selectman Dan Lent, Mayor Fred Camilo and First Selectman Terrence Rooney and First Selectman Mark Lauretti.
The closest races occurred in Easton, where Lent won by 6 votes over Nicholas D’Addario (1,611-1,605) and Monroe, where Rooney won by 195 votes over Leon Ambrosey.
After polls closed in Norwalk, Democratic mayor-elect Smyth, the current Common Council president who is a former Norwalk Public Schools teacher and community leader, issued the following statement:
“Throughout this campaign, I’ve been humbled by the broad and diverse coalition that came together to support our vision for Norwalk’s future — from teachers and the building trades to small business owners, families, and women across our city,” Smyth said. “To all of you, thank you for believing in what we can accomplish together.”
“As someone who spent years teaching in Norwalk Public Schools, I know how essential strong schools are to the fabric of our community. My priorities as mayor will include strengthening our schools, continuing to improve our infrastructure, growing our tax base, and ensuring that Norwalk remains affordable for all residents.”
Meanwhile, on the GOP side incumbent Mayor Hoydick thanked her supporters and wished Mayor-elect Chess congratulations.
“Congratulations to the Chess campaign,” the mayor said. “My hope is that you will lead our town wisely with sound and grounded judgment.
“My most heartfelt gratitude to everyone that supported me and my campaign. Thank you for your time, your efforts and your vote. To my family, thank you for your love, patience and support during these least eight years – even when it meant you having to take second place.”
