GOP First Selectman Contenders Emerge

It’s no secret that First Selectman Ken Flatto has been a Fairfield favorite for the town’s top post for quite some time – he’s held the position for five terms, and was first elected to the office in 1997. Over the past 14 years, all but once Flatto has decidedly defeated his Republican opponents.

But some GOP insiders say Flatto is vulnerable this time around given the loss of $43 million in our town's pension funds that was "invested" with convicted Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff, increased spending and so-called mismanagement of the Metro Center project that has taken nearly a decade to complete and still lacks any commercial development on the tax rolls.

For months now, there have been whispers throughout town about the formidable Flatto's possible appointment within Gov. Dannel Malloy's administration...but that remains to be seen, and Flatto has not yet made an official announcement about his political future in town or whether he will seek re-election.

Nevertheless, things are heating up on the right side of the aisle.

Two Republicans – David Becker, a Representative Town Meeting member from District 1, and Robert Bellitto Jr., vice chairman of the Board of Finance, have already formally filed committees with the Town Clerk. Becker filed an exploratory committee in December and Bellitto recently filed a candidate committee.

Two other seasoned Republicans have emerged from the scenes and told About Town they are weighing the decision to run against Flatto this fall.

Kevin Kiley, a long-time member and former chairman of the Board of Finance, said he is considering his options and won’t make a decision until after the town budget process is complete.

“I have not made a final decision on running for first selectman,” Kiley said. “My first priority is to complete my work on the Board of Finance and help deliver a budget to Fairfield's citizens that is affordable, maintains quality services and programs, protects public safety, invests in education and secures our senior citizens.”

Kiley said Fairfield needs new leadership with increased transparency and a more diverse professional background. Veteran elected official and finance board member Kiley, whose name has been floated for the first selectman race in past years, could very well be the man for the job.

“Fairfield requires a leader with a combination of private sector business experience, financial leadership, common sense and respect for open government,” Kiley said. “We need a leader who believes in transparency, fiscal responsibility and non-political government.”

Enter Chris Tymniak, a Fairfield native who recently moved back to town from Stratford with his young family. Tymniak, who is son of the former state Rep. Paul Tymniak and Cathy Tymniak, previously held appointed positions at the state level. He ran former Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s Bridgeport office for three years before his transfer last July to the Department of Motor Vehicles as its legislative program manager. Tymniak and several other Rell political appointees were let go by Malloy when the new governor took office in January.

Tymniak said he recently began weighing a decision to run for the town’s top post, but hasn’t yet made up his mind.

“In early February I started to seriously consider the idea of running for first selectman,” Tymniak said. “Right now I am still in the decision-making process.”

Tymniak said Fairfield needs a new vision and energy brought to the office of the first selectman.

“The most important thing our town needs in a leader right now is someone with a new vision and the energy and drive to carry out that vision,” he said.

Tymniak has not filed a formal committee, nor does he yet have plans to form one. “I honestly don't know when I am going to make the decision,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bellitto said he has no comment on the first selectman’s race.

“As the vice chairman of the Board of Finance, my responsibility and focus is on the town budget process right now. When that process is completed, I will address the race for first selectman,” Bellitto said.

So far, and it's still early, Becker appears to be the only candidate actively pursuing the town’s top post.

“I've found that I have a solid and growing base of support in our community. As for fundraising, during the last filing period we raised over $5,000, and while there is a ways to go, we are on track to reach our ultimate goal.”

Becker said Fairfield needs leadership with new ideas to come out on top after a tough economic era.

“I believe that I offer the right combination of new ideas, experience, and leadership skills necessary to steer our town through the current economic climate and into the future,” he said.