Dunn files campaign papers to run again for first selectman

By Scott Benjamin

BROOKFIELD -- Democrat Steve Dunn, a former investment banker and longtime civic volunteer, has filed campaign papers to run for first selectman, a job that he held from 2015 to 2021.

Dunn initially captured that office in a landslide in 2015 over one-term Republican incumbent Bill Tinsley.

He defeated Republicans Harry Shakier in 2017 and Mel Butow in 2019.

Dunn lost to Republican Tara Carr, the current first selectman, in 2021 by 218 votes. Petitioning candidate Austin Monteiro placed third.

Carr, who served for 25 years in the U.S. Army, has filed campaign papers to seek a second term. Fellow Republican Matt Grimes, the former chairman of the Brookfield Board of Education and a former members of Zoning Commission, filed campaign papers in February. He held a formal kick-off event in March at John's Best Restaurant.

The Republican Vacancy Committee began holding interviews with prospective candidates earlier this spring.

Both major parties will hold caucuses in late July to select their nominees. If needed, primaries would be held in September.

Dunn, who has lived in Brookfield since 1983, was a vice president at J.P. Morgan Chase before being elected first selectman.