Canton First Selectman: Republican Witkos Defeats Namnoum

CANTON, CT —The Republicans have officially taken over Canton's top spot, with Republican Kevin Witkos, a former state senator, easily defeating Democrat Bob Namnoum.

The veteran Republican will replace Democratic incumbent Robert Bessel, who opted to retire from office and not seek another term.

Witkos won 1,766-1,559, for a 53.11 percent showing compared to Namnoum's 46.89 percent, according to unofficial state numbers from the Secretary of the State's Office.

For Witkos, public office and public service is not new.

In 2008, he was elected to the state Senate serving the 8th District, which also includes his hometown of Canton.

He served in the legislature until 2022 when he announced he wouldn't seek another term.

Professionally, Witkos is a former Canton Police Department sergeant who served the CPD for nearly three decades.

Namnoum, 76, is a retired high school English teacher (Granby High School) and was also a teachers union representative for the Connecticut Education Association.

Namnoum was seeking his first foray into public office.