Hamden Primary 2019 Results: Leng Wins Challenge In Mayoral Race

HAMDEN, CT — Mayor Curt Balzano Leng has staved off a challenge from Legislative Councilwoman Lauren Garrett and won Tuesday’s Democratic primary election. Leng, who is seeking a third full-term in office, will face Republican Jay Kaye in the November election. Leng won each of the nine voting districts in town.

“Tonight, after many months of talking to our Hamden Democratic Voters and taking our message to the people of our Town, we won the Democratic Primary, winning every single district across our community,” Leng wrote in a post on Facebook late Tuesday night. “Democrats made their vote and their voices heard.

“I am very thankful to the amazing people who decided to be a part of my Team and worked in ways big and small to help get our positive message out about the accomplishments we’ve achieved, our values, experience and judgement and our plans for the future.”

Leng also thanked his family and supporters along with his challenger.

“I also want to thank Lauren Garrett for running this primary. Primary elections are good for democracy and allow us to further discuss important issues in our Town. We get to examine what our residents are happy with, what they want to see change and what our residents expect from us.

“I learned a lot during the process and I know that will make me a stronger Mayor and stronger candidate for re-election against the Republican opposition this fall.”

(Original post): HAMDEN, CT — Several Democratic incumbents, including Mayor Curt Balzano Leng, face challenges in Tuesday’s primary election. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 10.

Leng, who is seeking a third full-term in office, received the party's endorsement by a 34-27 margin over Legislative Councilwoman Lauren Garrett at the Democratic Town Committee's convention in July. Garrett collected more than 1,200 signatures to force her way onto the ballot for the primary.

Leng was first elected mayor in May of 2015 in a special election to serve the remainder of former Mayor Scott Jackson's term after he resigned to take a position with the state. Leng went on to win the next two mayoral elections.

Garrett, a Michigan native, was appointed to the Inland Wetlands Commission in 2016 and won a seat on the Legislative Council the following year and is serving At-Large.

The winner of the primary will face Republican Jay Kaye, the party's endorsed candidate, in the municipal election in November.

To read more about Leng, click here.

To read more about Garrett and her platform, click here.

Incumbent Councilman Harry Gagliardi Jr. is being challenged by Gabriel L. Lupo in the Second District, while Cory O’Brien faces a primary challenge in the Sixth District from Kathleen Schomaker.

Here is a sample ballot to view before Primary Day.

Click here to see the final debate between Garrett and Leng, sponsored by the League of Women's Voters.

Registration Cut-Off For Primary

The cutoff for primary registration is as follows, according to the Connecticut Secretary of the State office: Application must be postmarked by the 5th day before a primary (OR received by your Registrar of Voters or a voter registration agency by the 5th day before a primary). You may apply in person to your town clerk or registrar until 12:00 noon on the last business day before a primary.

For this year the deadline was Sept. 5 for applications via mail or online. The deadline to transfer from one party to another to vote in a primary passed nearly three months ago.

Voter ID

A driver's license or photo ID isn't required to vote in Connecticut. In most cases voters can sign an affidavit if they don't have photo ID. Here are the full rules.

Absentee Ballots

Must be received via mail by the municipal clerk no later than the close of polls on Sept. 10. In-person returns must be turned in the day before the primary.

Where Do I Vote

Voters can check the SOT website to see if they are registered to vote and their polling location.