Long before Tuesday night’s town elections, Paul F. Roy said he had a solid chance of beating incumbent First Selectman Robert Koskelowski.
Turns out he was right.
Roy pulled off the biggest win of his career Tuesday, defeating three-term incumbent Koskelowski to take the town’s top office.
Roy received 2,032 votes. Koskelowski received 1,810 votes.
“I can’t wait to make Seymour a better place. It’s incredible to stand here and say we won,” Roy said to an audience of about 50 supporters at the old Casagrande Garage off Bank Street.
Some of those supporters cried tears of joy after hearing that Roy had pulled out the victory.
Democratic Chairman Stephen Kulas attributed the win to Roy’s work ethic and determination. Roy visited more than 2,000 homes to speak with voters one-on-one and drum up support.
“Paul outworked Bob. It’s his desire and work ethic that brought us here tonight,” Kulas said.
Anyone who doubted the candidate “didn’t understand Paul,” Kulas said. “They didn’t understand a couple of things about Paul — first of all, Paul’s ability and desire to work.”
Roy’s win capped a great night for Seymour Democrats, who will take over control of the Board of Selectmen after winning three of the six available seats.
Joining Roy on the town’s top board will be Philip Wilhelmy III, Karl J. Trybus and Saundra Gesek.
Incumbent Republicans John Conroy Jr. and AnnMarie Drugonis won new terms, as well as W. Kurt Miller.
The Democrats also gained control of the Board of Education, winning three seats on the school board.
Republicans gathered at Jimmy’s Place on Main Street.
The place was noticeably glum as news of Koskelowski’s defeat began to circulate.
Koskelowski found himself telling supporters in disbelief that he would not return for a fourth consecutive term.
“No, no. I lost,” he said to one shocked supporter who had asked about results.
Koskelowski said low voter turnout contributed to his loss. “People stayed at home and didn’t come out to vote,” he said.
The outgoing First Selectman said he would assist Roy with the transition, but said he hoped the Democrats would follow his lead and not take fiscal policy cues from Washington.
“I had 16 years as their First Selectman and am honored and privileged to have had that,” he said. “People now want to see change and my wish is that the new First Selectman doesn’t have the same vision as our President of the United States [Barack Obama] has, which is causing us large deficits and taxes.”
GOP Chairman Bill Paecht, a member of the Board of Finance, said he did not see the loss as a rebuke of the Republican Party in Seymour.
“People wanted a change and it happened,” Paecht said. “Now our whole focus is to build a better Seymour for everyone.”
Paecht said he would work with Roy and the Board of Selectmen.
“Right now, as chairman of the party, my focus is on the future. Paul Roy’s a good man. I have nothing bad to say about Paul,” Paecht said.
