Republicans Come Out On Top

Top Four Incumbents Win

GOP Keeps Council

Yesterday, Republican Mayor Mark Boughton coasted to a fourth term, earning 66% of the vote. Democratic challenger Helena Abrantes lost by over 4,200 votes. This was Boughton's strongest victory as Mayor.

City Treasurer Dan Jowdy also easily won re-election beating Democrat Brian Cotter by over 3,600 votes. Jowdy earned a third term getting 64% of the vote.

City Clerk Jean Natale received 57% of the vote, and bested her Democratic opponent Eileen Coladarci by over 1,800 votes. Many expected this race to be very close as Natale only beat Coladarci by about 400 votes in 2005. However, a strong Republican turnout helped Natale win by a much larger margin than anticipated.

Town Clerk Lori Kaback was one of the few bright spots for the Democrats. Kaback beat Republican Pudgie Delohery by 1,383 votes, earning 55% of the vote. Boughton's strong showing didn't help Delohery, or at least gain her some more momentum.

The Common Council has remained in Republican control by the current 14-7 majority. All incumbents running for Council ward seats won. Six out of seven Republicans won Council at Large seats. Republican Pauline Basso lost her seat, as Warren Levy was the Democrat that beat her. Republican Bob Arconti was the top vote getter followed by Republicans Collen Stanley, Gregg Seabury, Phil Curran, Democrat Warren Levy, and Republicans Jack Knapp, and Robert Riley.

The first ward went to incumbent Republicans Louise McMahon and Shay Nagarsheth. The second ward re-elected Republicans Charles Trombetta and James Johnson. The third ward was anticipated to be the most interesting as Lynn Taborsak was trying to pick up a seat for the Democrats and take out President Joe Cavo. However, that didn't happen, as Republicans Joe Cavo and Mike Colandrino won impressive victories here. The fourth ward kept Democrats Tom Saadi and John Esposito. Democrats also kept ward five Councilmen Duane Perkins and Fred Visconti. Democrats Ben Chianese and Paul Rotello also won re-election in the sixth ward. Seventh ward voters decided to keep Republican Councilwomen Mary Teicholz and Jane Diggs. All of that results to a 14-7 Republican majority, which is no change from what it was before the election.

Republican Board of Education candidates that won were Joe Scozzafava, Louis Alosco, Irving Fox, and Richard Janelli. Democrats Gladys Cooper, Rachael Austin, and Susan Podhajski also won.

On the Zoning Commission the winners were Republicans Rob Mellilo, Andrew Wetmore, Larry Stramiello, David Manacek, Ted Farah, and Patrick Johnson. The Democrats were Anthony DiCaprio, Theodore Haddad, and Richard Jowdy. The Alternates elected were Republicans Victoria Hickey and Thomas Spegnolo. One Democrat was elected based on minority representation and that was Jaquelin Perez-Ares.

Democrats maintained their hold on the Constables keeping incumbents Michael Esposito, Paul Estefan, and Francis Kieras. The two Republicans that won were Dianne Zielinski and Barbara Kurpiewski.

That about wraps it up for the results. You can read all the exact numbers here. I think many did not expect the Republicans to have such a strong showing, reminding us a little of what they did in 2003. A very positive night for them, as the city showed that they really did not think change was needed. More to come on speculation and analyzing within the coming days. The election may be over, but that doesn't mean we have to stop talking about it.