Republican candidate Kurt Miller cruised to victory Tuesday night against incumbent Democratic First Selectman Paul Roy.
Miller, 41, captured 1,910 votes compared with Roy’s 1,555 — a difference of 355 votes.
The results are not official.
Democrat Jeanne Loda, who ran for First Selectman as a write-in, received 157 votes.
Miller knew soon after the polls closed at 8 p.m. that he had won. He had campaign volunteers at the polling places calling in results to his campaign staff at a table inside the Hot Tamale Mexican restaurant on Route 67.
He called out to a small crowd of supporters that was gathering and gave them the good news, sharing hugs.
“I feel really good right now,” Miller said, as his supporters gathered around to shake his hand. “I think the positive message we had really resonated with the voters,” Miller said.
The turnout was about 3,900 voters, which is roughly 42 percent of the total 9,320 registered voters in town.
At the Democratic campaign headquarters on the corner of First and Bank street, a former car stereo shop, a packed room fell silent as the numbers came in by telephone.
Roy and his supporters watched quietly as he lost all three districts.
“I don’t know what else I could have done to win this election, but obviously the voters have spoken,” Roy said. “Kurt won. I’m sure he’ll do a good job and we’ll see what happens. We just have to figure out where we as a party go from here.”
Miller said once he takes office he will immediately begin his “100 day plan of action” to move Seymour forward.
“I will have a 100-day plan, a step-by-step action plan, of things we hope to accomplish right away,” Miller said.
Generally speaking, Miller has said he wants to see the town run more professionally.
“We set some expectations and it’s going to be extremely important to go out and meet those expectations for the Town of Seymour,” Miller said.
Republicans joining Miller on the Board of Selectmen include Nicole Klarides-Ditria, who received 2,276 votes, the most of any candidate for that office.
She is the sister of Republican state Rep. Themis Klarides, who was there at the restaurant helping the Republicans celebrate.
The Democrat who got the most votes to serve on the Board of Selectmen was Theresa Conroy, with 1,927 votes. Conroy is a former state representative from Seymour.
Other Republicans who won seats on the Board of Selectmen include Alfred P. Bruno, with 1593 votes, Annmarie A. Drugonis, with 1,580 votes, and Gary D. Bruce, with 1,706 votes.
Democrat Karen D. Stanek was also elected to the Board of Selectmen, with 1,664 votes.
This means the power has turned over on the Board of Selectmen, going from a mostly Democratic board to a predominantly Republican board.
Republicans have a 5 – 2 majority, including Miller.
Steven Kulas, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, said Democrats can still hold their heads high.
Kulas told fellow supporters to be proud of the fact “they’ve had an excellent (First) Selectman for the past two years,” and pledged his personal support to Roy in the future.
Looking forward, Roy said it is too soon to make a decision whether or not he will run again, but nothing is out of the question.
“We just have to stick together,” Roy said, before leaving to personally congratulate Miller.
The Republicans also retained control of the Board of Finance. Miller said he expects a 5 – 2 Republican majority on that board.
The Results ***Denotes winner
FIRST SELECTMAN
Paul F. Roy — D — 1,555
W. Kurt Miller — R — 1,910 ***
Jeanne M. Loda — Petitioning Democrat —157
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Vote for any four. The top six vote-getters will be elected.
Theresa Conroy — D — 1,927 ***
Philip Wilhelmy III — D — 1,466
Hargurpreet Singh — D — 1,037
Karen A. Stanek — D — 1,664 ***
Annmarie A. Drugonis — R — 1,580 ***
Gary D. Bruce — R — 1,706 ***
Nicole Klarides-Ditria — R — 2,276 ***
Alfred P. Bruno — R — 1,593 ***
BOARD OF FINANCE
Vote for any three.
Jason R. Weaving — D — 1,336
John A. Stelma — D — 1,372
Jeffrey M. Coe — D — 1,392
Peter J. Jezierny — R — 1,795 ***
David A. Bitso — R — 1,840 ***
Michele M. Pavlik — R — 1,926 ***
BOARD OF FINANCE VACANCY
Vote for any two. Fills a two-year vacancy
Joan O. McDonnell — D — 1,359
Karen J. Ziomek — D — 1,284
Trisha Ann Danka — R — 1,894 ***
Edward L. Waskikowski — R — 1,960 ***
BOARD OF FINANCE ALTERNATE
Vote for any three. Three people will be elected
Richard F. Grudzias — D — 2,014 ***
Kimberly A. Welch — R — 2,253 ***
Elizabeth J. Tift — R — 2,254 ***
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Vote for any two. The top four vote-getters will be elected.
Kristen M. Harmeling — D — 1,148 ***
Saundra Gesek — D — 1,391 ***
Jennifer L. Magri — R — 1,431 ***
Jay Hatfield — R — 1,730 ***
Paul F. Sponheimer — Petitioning candidate — 959
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
Vote for any two.
Albert M. Ermer Jr. — D — 1,048
Anthony F. LoPresti — D — 1,789 ***
Christine M. Conroy — R — 2,078 ***
Alexander J. Danka III — R — 1,495
POLICE COMMISSION
Vote for any three.
Robert H. Enquist Jr. — D — 1,206
Howard Eugene Simpson Jr. — D — 1,412
Thomas N. Schutte — D — 1,285
Stephen Chucta — R — 2,031 ***
Lucy McConologue — R — 1,811 ***
John D. Popik — R — 1,689 ***
LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Vote for any three.
Susan C. Strumello — D — 1,704 ***
Loreen M. Coe — D — 1,390
Robert G. Potash — D — 1,377
Nancy J. Cretella — R — 1,721 ***
Alfred R. Yagovane — R — 1,595
Paul A. Thompson — R — 1,598 ***
