East Haven Election 2015 Results: Winner Declared in Mayor's Race; Independents Excited at Results

UPDATE: Final numbers in the mayor’s race, Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr., 3,232, Democrat Michael Speer, 1,779, and Independent Party candidate Sal Maltese, 2,093.

Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. has just declared victory, the New Haven Register reports.

After two districts reported, Maturo had 1,191 votes, his Democratic challenger, Michael Speer had 667 votes and Independent candidate Sal Maltese had 704 votes.

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“It’s a great victory, I owe it all to the people of our community,” Maturo said, according to the New Haven Register. “We’re a great communtiy, we’re proud to be East Haveners, and I am proud that they gave me the opportunity to represent them for the next two years.

On social media, Maturo added, “To the people of East Haven who have entrusted me with leading this great community for another two years - a sincere THANK YOU!!! I am so proud to lead this great community and excited about what lies on the horizon for the next two years.”

After the vote totals were released, the Independent Party released a statement to Patch:

“Tonight the East Haven Independent Party scored another victory as its candidate Sal Maltese finished second in the Mayoral Race garnishing an unofficial 2,053 votes. We set out a goal when we had our eyes on the Municipal Elections earlier this year and tonight’s results far surpassed what we imagined. In a long time Democratic Town we actually defeated the Democratic candidate!”, said Ed Chase Chairman

“Tonight was a statement to the Town of East Haven’s Tax Payers that we are a viable choice in Town Government and we hope that re-elected Mayor Joe Maturo will recognize what we have accomplished for the residents of East Haven.” Chase went on to say.

The East Haven Independent Party was founded in 2013 and this was their first municipal election. Every candidate that ran on a line was a petition candidate and after tonight’s results each position will now be a secured position as the East Haven Independent Party has now become a major political party in the Town of East Haven.”

Read the Register’s full coverage of the East Haven election here.

Original post: Voting ends tonight at 8 p.m. in East Haven.

The mayoral campaign has been hotly contested between GOP Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. Democratic challenger Michael Speer and Independent candidate Sal Maltese.

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During the campaign, Maturo has cited the town’s turnaround, strong financial shape, greatly enhanced reputation of the Police Department, and the fact the town’s rainy day fund is greatly improved.

But Speer has criticized Maturo’s ethics as a town hall employee filed a sexual harassment suit against the mayor, and Speer has vowed to restore dignity and honor to the mayor’s office.

Speer also came under fire for calling 911 to report his campaign signs stolen earlier this fall.

Maltese has been relatively quiet publicly but he came within a few votes of grabbing the Republican Town Committee nomination away from Maturo and ran as an Independent.

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