Stratford Primary Election 2017: Decisive Victories For Mayoral Candidates

STRATFORD, CT — Republican Laura Hoydick and Democrat Stephanie Philips will square off in the race for Stratford mayor this November after decisive victories in Tuesday’s primary election. Hoydick, currently the state representative from the 120th District, was the party’s endorsed candidate and defeated challenger Sandra Zalik, a former Republican councilwoman, by a 1,385 to 315 vote.

Philips won a three-way race between former Democratic Town Committee Chairman Len Petruccelli and Joe Paul. Philips received 1,261 votes while Paul had 480 and Petruccelli, 357, according to the Connecticut Post. Despite Tuesday’s loss, both Paul and Zalik will likely be on the ballot in the municipal election in November as unaffiliated candidates, the Post reports.

Republican Mayor John A. Harkins announced in March that he wouldn’t seek a fourth term this year. (To sign up for Stratford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

“Many thanks to the voters who came out today to support our endorsed team with a decisive victory of 1385-315 in today's Republican primary!,” Hoydick said in a post on Facebook. “And congratulations to Chris Pia and Bill Perillo, the endorsed candidates in the 1st and 7th districts that also scored huge victories. We look forward to continuing to bring our message to voters into November!”

In other races, three incumbent members of the Town Council lost their primary challenges. Newcomer Bieu Tran, a Democrat, pulled off an upset in District 1 by defeating Town Council Chairman Beth Daponte, 154-128, according to the Stratford Star.

The Star reports Democratic challenger Prez Palmer upset incumbent Philip Young in the District 6 and Republican Councilman Marianne “Mitzi” Antezzo lost to Bill Perillo, 217-74, in the 7th District. The five other incumbents won their primary challenges.

Read more at the Connecticut Post here and the Stratford Star here.

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