Stratford Election Season Underway As Parties Endorse Candidates

STRATFORD, CT — The Democrat and Republican slates are set for November's election in Stratford. The town committees for both parties recently held their endorsement meetings, with each committee choosing the candidates it will support during election season, including those running for the Town Council and Board of Education.

The Nov. 5 election will decide the entire council, as well as who fills three of the seven seats on the school board.

The Stratford Democratic Town Committee met Wednesday at the Baldwin Center.

"We are excited about this qualified slate of candidates, whose diversity is its strength," Committee Chair Stephanie Philips stated in a news release.

Among the endorsed Democrats are Town Council incumbents David Harden and Gregory Cann, as well as candidates Patrick Malley, Kaitlyn Shake, Paul Tavaras, Harold Watson, Timothy Bristol, James Simon and Nancy Burban. Endorsed Board of Education candidates include Janice Cupee and Michael Suntag.

The Stratford Republican Town Committee met Thursday at VFW Post 9460.

"The leadership of Mayor Laura Hoydick and the current Town Council restored civility to our town government and delivered two unprecedented tax decreases to homeowners and businesses," Chair Lou DeCilio stated in a news release.

Hoydick is a Republican, as is the Town Council majority.

Endorsed Republican council candidates include incumbents Christopher Pia, Ronald Tichy, Kenneth Poisson, William Perillo, William O'Brien, Laura Dancho and James Connor, the council chair, as well as non-incumbents Victor Ayala Jr., Linnea Scheck and Louis Molnar IV. O'Brien's seat in District 9 is the only one not being challenged by a Democratic committee candidate. For school board, candidates Alan Llewelyn, Andrea Corcoran and Amy Wiltsie are endorsed by the Republican committee.

In addition to the council and school board, other positions up for election include constable and seats on the Planning Commission, Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. To view a full list of the endorsed candidates, click here.

While the party endorsements are set, potential candidates can still petition to force a primary Sept. 10, according to a state document. Challengers have until Aug. 7 to file their petitions.