Enfield GOP, Dems Select Election Candidates

ENFIELD, CT — Town Republicans and Democrats gathered at their respective caucuses Tuesday night to nominate candidates for town council, Board of Education and constable. By the time voting concluded, most council incumbents were slated to run for another term; consequently, only a handful of current school board members and constables will be seeking re-election.

Six of the seven at-large councilors were nominated for another term: Republicans Mike Ludwick, Joe Muller, Carl Sferrazza and Lori Unghire, and Democrats Gina Cekala and Bill Kiner. The Democrats put up Colleen Reidy and former councilor Cindy Mangini as at-large candidates.

All four district councilors are seeking re-election: Republicans Joe Bosco (1) and Donna Szewczak (3), and Democrats Bob Cressotti (2) and Ed Deni (4). They will be opposed by challengers Mike Ballard (1), Kelly Hemmeler (2), Marcy Taliceo (3) and Charlotte Riley (4).

An entirely different scenario has been painted in the Board of Education race. Republicans Walter Kruzel and Chris Rutledge and Democrats Tim Neville and Scott Ryder are the only incumbents running for the nine-member panel. Republicans Wendy Costa, Jonathan LeBlanc and Bill Salazar will be on the ballot for the first time, along with Democrats Liz Davis, Steve Niemitz and Monica Wright. Davis is currently an at-large council member.

Just two incumbent constables are seeking re-election: Democrats Charlie Ladd and Eileen McDonald. Other candidates for the seven positions are Republicans Cindy Andersen, Rob Kwasnicki, Ray Peabody and Mary Ann Turner, and Democrats Tony DiPace and Joshua Hamre.

Election Day is Nov. 5.