2 Candidates Tie In Norwalk Primary Election, Recount Planned

NORWALK, CT — Preliminary results for the District C Democratic primary election indicate a tie between John Kydes and Tyler Fairbairn, while Jenn McMurrer secured a spot on the ballot, city officials said Tuesday night.

Shortly after the polls closed, Democratic Registrar of Voters Stuart Wells announced McMurrer received 207 votes, the most out of the four candidates, while Kydes and Fairbairn received 188 votes each, according to unofficial results. Jennifer McAllister, meanwhile, received 175 votes.

Wells said the results were close and there will be a recount involving all four candidates, not just Kydes and Fairbairn.

Kydes, a four-term incumbent who also serves as the Common Council's majority leader, and the other three candidates were all seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the Norwalk Common Council (District C) position, which residents will vote on in November.

McMurrer said she and Fairbairn, her running mate for the two District C seats, were pleasantly surprised by Tuesday's preliminary results.

"We ran through a lot of different scenarios leading up until this point," McMurrer said Tuesday night, "and this was one scenario that we didn't run through...this was just not something we expected."

McMurrer said she was grateful and appreciative of everybody who voted for or supported her and Fairbairn in any way, without whom they could not have gotten to this point.

"A lot of people were critical of us...for setting off a primary, and I will say that this is the reason we did that," McMurrer said. "We wanted everyone to have the chance to have their voices heard. They have spoken, and I think it speaks volumes to what our neighbors want to see in our neighborhood and on the common council."

As they wait for the recount to take place, likely either later in the week or early next week, McMurrer noted she intends to continue supporting her running mate.

"Tonight I am just celebrating with those closest to me, and Tyler is one of those people," McMurrer said. "Tomorrow we will hit the ground running again, looking ahead to November, but I'm going to be there to support Tyler every step of the way if I can."

Fairbairn continued to support McMurrer as results came in Tuesday night.

"I could not be happier for Jenn," Fairbairn said. "It's so great for Norwalk and it's so great for Jenn, and I'm so incredibly excited for her."

He also noted his projected tie with Kydes exemplified the need for primary elections.

"I think the fact that I am in a recount with a four-term incumbent is also incredibly positive," Fairbairn said, "and I think it shows why we need primaries and what the value is. It gives the people a chance to vote and have their input."

Prior to the polls closing at 8 p.m., Wells said a total of 294 votes had been cast as of 6 p.m. This marked an increase from 4 p.m., when only about 211 votes had been cast, Wells said.

He also noted his office had received 11 absentee ballots.

See also: Norwalk Residents Head To Polls For 2021 Primary Election

Voting took place at both Nathan Hale Middle School and Marvin Elementary School. Fairbairn said he and McMurrer split time between Nathan Hale and Marvin in the morning to meet with voters.

"Turnout has been slow so far," Fairbairn said around 4 p.m., "but that's probably not unusual for a district primary race. We're hoping to see as many Democrats as possible at the polls today."

According to Wells, there was no line at either polling location when they opened at 6 a.m., which was the case during the November presidential election.

McMurrer agreed the preliminary results indicated a lot of residents ultimately showed up to the polls Tuesday to support all four candidates.

"What a wonderful situation we have as a district here in District C," McMurrer said. "To have four people who are so passionate and caring of our neighbors and our community, I just think we're really lucky."

Patch has reached out to Kydes and McAllister for comment.