Moccia Wins, Democrats Take Council

Update 12:48 a.m., Wednesday:

Mayor Richard A. Moccia said the Democratic get-out-the-vote effort was well done, and although it didn't put him out of office, it did seem to take the Common Council out of his party's hands.

"I give credit to the Democratic organization—the state party—they provided a lot of time and effort to get the vote out, and they got it out," Moccia said.

He said he intends to press state and federal Republican candidates and party leaders to provide more help with that in municipal races.

Marc Bradley, the Norwalk Democratic chairman, said the surge in Democratic votes that won Common Council races was not due primarily to outside help but to concerns by Norwalk residents about the direction of city government.

"The voters of Norwalk are not happy with the way things are going," Bradley said. They're concerned about crime, education and rising property taxes.

"If he [Moccia] can't find a way to move some more of these developments forward, I have a feeling he's not going to be serving another term after this one," Bradley said. "But I give credit to Mr. Moccia. He ran a valiant campaign.

"I appreciate some of our friends from outside of the city that came in to help, but this was a grassroots, Norwalk effort."

In addition to retaining the mayor's office, Republicans kept control of the Board of Education and took the Town Clerk's Office.

Update 11:26 p.m., Tuesday:

Democrats now have an 8-7 edge on the Norwalk Common Council, according to unofficial vote tallies.

Update 11:06 p.m.:

At this point, Repubicans think these are the five winners of the at-large race for Common Council, in order: Douglas Hempstead, Anna Duleep, Fred Bondi, John Tobin and Sharon Stewart.

Hempstead, Bondi and Tobin are Republicans.

The GOP unofficial count has Mike Barbis with a three-vote lead in the District E Board of Education race.

Update 10:52 p.m.:

A surge of votes in District B, around South Norwalk, may have knocked some at-large Republican members off the Common Council, Republicans say. They are still looking over the numbers, now adding in absentee ballot returns.

Update 10:30 p.m.:

The Common Council will get several new faces: Republicans Jerry Petrini (representing District D), Michelle Maggio (District C) and Dave McCarthy (District E) all won seats, as did John Igneri, a Democrat in District E, Republicans say.

Geoff Kieburtz, a GOP Board of Education candidate in District E, is in a tight race with Mike Barbis, according to Norwalk Republicans.

District E incumbents Andrew Conroy (a Republican) and Nora King (a Democrat) both lost bids for re-election, according to unofficial results collected by Norwalk Republicans.

Republican Richard Bonenfant also lost his bid for re-election to the Common Council, representing District A, Republicans said.

Update 10:02 p.m.:

Board of Education Chairman Jack Chiaramonte won re-election in District D, and Michael Lyons won election in District C, Norwalk GOP Chairman Art Scialabba announced.

"I'm really, really happy that Norwalk got us back," Chiaramonte told the crowd.

Lyons said, "The people of his [Chiaramonte's] district decided that being outspoken when you're fighting for the right things isn't a bad thing."

Update 9:54 p.m.:

In his victory speech, Mayor Richard A. Moccia said: "I really am overwhelmed. I knew this was going to be a tough race with a formidable opponent, with Democrats sunk a lot of money and effort into it."

Republicans have kept control of the Common Council, Moccia said.

"[Former Mayor] Frank Esposito was here earlier. He served seven terms. My understanding is that other than him, I'm the first mayor to win four consecutive terms. That is very humbling, but also very rewarding."

Moccia thanked the crowd, calling them "part of my family," and thanked his wife for her sacrifices in a busy election season.

"I have no desire for higher office," Moccia continued. "I have one of the best jobs anybody has ever had as mayor of one of the best cities anywhere."

Moccia had kind words for Garfunkel as well: "Andy Garfunkel has served this community well as town clerk. He ran a positive campaign. He told [us] what he felt. I respected him. Our campaigns were civil: Talk about what you can do, not what the other person doesn't do all the time, and I appreciate his efforts, I really do."

Moccia continued: "I want to thank the voters of Norwalk. Thank you again for having confidence in me. [...]

"We will maintain the honor of the office of the mayor," Moccia said, promising an honest administration.

Moccia then said he had a message for the blog writers and anonymous commenters on websites who he said had spread lies, innuendo and malicious comments about him during the campaign.

"To my friends on the blogs: I do not live in Stamford! John Connor, I know who you are. The "Oldtimer," I really know all of you. All of your inuendo, all of the lies that you put on the blogs with your anonymous names—you lose!"

Update 9:42 p.m.:

Mayor Richard A. Moccia just announced: "I just had a phone call from Andy Garfunkel congratulating me. I know Andy is not going anywhere. He says he wants to stay involved [in Norwalk]."

Update 9:26 p.m.:

Mayor Richard Moccia gave a victory speech ending at 9:25 p.m., in which he thanked the voters and his supporters, and said Rick McQuaid won election as town clerk.

Update 9:15 p.m.:

Several veteran campaigners said this year's election seemed pretty close to elections in the past in terms of interest, turnout and general atmosphere.

Common Council member Andrew Conroy, running for re-election in District E, said this election "didn't seem remarkably different at all."

Fred Bondi, an at-large member of the Common Council, said the issue of whether garbage services would be contracted out to a private company did get some interest from constituents, several of whom called him.

"When I explained to them that we're in the negotiating stages [...] they were satisfied," he said. "Other than that, it was much like most elections."

Nicholas Kydes, running for re-election to the Common Council from District C, said this election "feels the same" as previous ones.

"I think we're going to pick up a few more seats on the council, possibly two or three more," he said.

Original article, 8:45 p.m.:

Both Democrats and Republicans expressed optimism about their prospects in today's election.

As Mayor Richard A. Moccia walked into the on East Avenue, where the Republicans set up their election night party, he was asked how he thought the election was going. He said, "I'm going to win!"

A little earlier, at Democratic headquarters on Wall Street, Norwalk Democratic Chairman Marc Bradley was asked the same question.

"We're on pace," he answered. "We have our people targeted and coming out and voting in great numbers. We're very excited about it. Win or lose, I think we woke up the mayor and his friends."

Democrats are meeting at the at 560 Main Ave.

Editor's note: Readers interested in this article may also be interested in ""