Fairfield Special Election Decision In Hands Of CT Supreme Court

FAIRFIELD, CT — The waiting is the hardest part. There is an end in sight for the long-fought battle over the Fairfield Board of Selectmen special election that was held last June. The Fairfield Citizen reports the state Supreme Court heard arguments from both sides last week and all that’s left is the decision.

The battle began in December of 2016 when Republican Laurie McArdle, who was elected along with Selectman Chris Tymniak in the municipal election that November, resigned her seat, citing an increase in business travel, with three years remaining in her term. Ed Bateson was endorsed by the Republican Town Committee and approved in a vote by Democratic First Selectman Mike Tetreau and Tymniak to fill the vacancy.

However, the Fairfield Democratic Town Committee submitted 3,200 petition signatures to the Town Clerk for certification on a petition to require a special town-wide election to decide a replacement for McArdle's seat. After several court battles, the Appellate Court issued an order declaring that the special will be held. Democrat Kevin Kiley, a former Republican, then defeated Bateson in the special election.

Tymniak and Bateson continued to fight the legality of the special election, arguing whether voters had the right to petition for it since Bateson was appointed within 30 days of McArdle’s resignation, all the way to the state Supreme Court. They are seeking to have the election results voided, according to the Citizen.

The Citizen reports it could be several weeks or months before the court issues its decision.

Read more at the Fairfield Citizen here.

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