Hamden Democratic Primary 2021: Garrett Defeats Leng

HAMDEN, CT — Lauren Garrett has defeated three-term incumbent Mayor Curt Balzano Leng in the Democratic Primary election, according to the New Haven Independent.

The Independent reports Garrett defeated Leng by more than a 2-1 margin, and her row of endorsed candidates also won their primaries.

Garrett received the Democratic Town Committee's endorsement in July. Leng didn't seek the party's endorsement and was looking to win a fourth full-term in office through the primary election. No Hamden mayor has been elected to a fourth term in the town's history.

See also: Garrett: ‘We Have A Lot Of Work Ahead Of Us…’

Garrett will face Republican Ron Gambardella and Independent Party candidate Albert Lotto in the municipal election in November.

Read more at the New Haven Independent here.

(Original post): HAMDEN, CT — Registered Democrats in Hamden will head to the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 14, for a primary election that features a three-way race for mayor with positions on the Legislative Council and Board of Education up for grabs, along with town clerk.

Incumbent Mayor Curt Balzano Leng is seeking a fourth full-term in office through the primary election.

Former Legislative Councilwoman Lauren Garrett received the Democratic Town Committee's endorsement in July. Leng didn't seek the party's endorsement and gathered the necessary signatures to get on the ballot. Local political newcomer Peter Cyr also petitioned his way onto the ballot.

Garrett forced a primary against Leng in 2019 after he received the party's endorsement by a 34-27 margin. Leng won the primary election by winning each of the nine voting districts.

Longtime Town Clerk Vera Morrison is retiring after more than 20 years in office, and two candidates are vying to replace her on the Democratic ballot. Karimah Mickens-Webber received the town committee’s endorsement and is being challenged by Melinda LaVelle Saller.

Also on the ballot are races for Legislative Council At-Large and Board of Education.

The party’s endorsed candidates for Legislative Council At-Large are Dominique Baez, Katie Kiely, Cory O'Brien, and Laurie Sweet. They are being challenged by Rachel Scolnic Dobin, Berita Rowe Lewis, Richard Mutts, and Kathleen Schomaker.

The endorsed candidates for Board of Education are David Asbery, Siobhan Carter-David, Melissa A. Kaplan-Charkow, and Mariam Khan. They are being challenged by Frank Dixon, Nicholas McDonald, Jennifer M. Jason Sweeten, and Joshua L. Watkins.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14.