Threeincumbentsto challenge endorsed candidates for Bloomfield Town Council seats
Jul. 21—Debeatham-Brown and Kirton did not seek their party's endorsement at the Democratic Town Committee convention on Wednesday and did not respond to requests for comment. Mahon, Debeatham-Brown and Kirton were not part of their parties' recommended slates released earlier this month.
"I entrusted the nomination committee to deliver a strong slate that the DTC could get behind, and I was not disappointed," said DTC Chair Lynette Easmon. "I am thrilled to report that we are moving ahead with candidates whom the DTC overwhelmingly supported. This is a strong and diverse slate that will work well together to propel Bloomfield forward."
Besides acting as town party chair, Easmon also got the nod to run for re-election for a four-year term on the Board of Education.
Of the Democratic delegates, 44 voted in favor of the nominating committee's recommended slate and five were opposed, including Debeatham-Brown and Kirton.
Incumbent Mayor Danielle Wong was endorsement to run for another term on the council. She'll join the Democrat slate on the ballot with incumbents Deputy Mayor Anthony Harrington and Councilmembers Kenneth McClary and Cindi Lloyd, along with newcomers Todd Cooper and
Mike Oliver.
The top vote-getter of the majority party on the council typically becomes mayor.
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The three incumbent Democrat town councilmembers endorsed by the DTC opposed the recent tax increase brought on by a requested budget increase from the Board of Education. Wong said the tax increase is "imposing a hardship on our residents."
"As for the possibility of a primary, I welcome it," Wong said. "It's a part of the democratic process."
In order to petition onto the ballot, Democrats must get 466 signatures by Aug. 9, while Republicans must get 62. The target is based on the number of registered voters in town that declare as affiliated with each party.
The Republican Town Committee caucus, meanwhile, was "contentious" at times, according to Vice Chair Dwight Bolton. He said he was "shocked" at the controversy.
The Republican base in town is small and Bolton said they usually struggle to find six candidates to nominate. Originally, incumbent Town Councilmember Francis Politis was on the list of candidates to endorse, but he withdrew his name before the caucus began. Mahon then tried to gain his party's endorsement, but failed, causing most of the contention, Bolton said.
"There seemed to be a disconnect between Mahon and the committee and his connection with Republicans in town," Bolton said.
Mahon has served on council in the minority party for the last two years as one of three Republicans. He often banded with Democrats Debeatham-Brown and Kirton on a variety of initiatives, including trying to remove former Town Manager Stanley Hawthorne from his position.
"I do plan on petitioning for a primary to work toward a Republican Party that champions diversity and inclusivity and encourages the involvement of young people," Mahon said. "I am seeking re-election to continue to advocate for fiscal responsibility, greater quality of life and upholding the rules we govern by."
The Republican slate of candidates endorsed by their town party includes: Incumbent Joseph Merritt, along with Quentin Johnson, Elizabeth Waterhouse, Seth M. Pitts, Lisa Simone, and Marie MacDonald.
Wong said she is looking forward to hitting the campaign trail for her re-election bid.
"I am excited that the Democratic Party endorsed a team of strong and diverse candidates — while adding exciting new talent to our team of experienced incumbents — who are committed to building Bloomfield as a team," Wong said.
