ANSONIA – Democrat Frank Tyszka defeated six-term incumbent Republican Mayor David Cassetti, part of a broader sweep that has returned Democrats to power in the Copper City for the first time since 2013.
The vote was 2,637 to 1,858, according to unofficial numbers from the Registrar’s office.
Ansonia Democrats also won all 14 seats on the Board of Aldermen – a stunning turnaround from 2023, when the Democrats lost every contested seat.
Tyszka, a retired Sikorsky engineer and former Alderman, ran on a platform of fiscal transparency, city hall reform, and renewed civic trust. He declared victory to a crowd of about 75 supporters at his campaign headquarters at 140 Main Street shortly before 9 p.m.
“I had a speech prepared for this. But I was told, don’t read it. So I’m not going to. The first words out of my mouth are going to be — wow, we kicked his butt!”
The unofficial results are at the bottom of this story. Scroll down to read them.
Tyszka pledged to restore in-person public meetings, empower the Board of Aldermen, and pursue smart development.
“Transparency, honesty, and integrity — that’s what we’re gonna have,” he said. “And we’re gonna treat everybody with respect, and I mean everybody.”
Tyszka’s victory speech is embedded below. The story continues after the video.
Democratic Town Committee Chairman Dave Hannon described the results as a referendum on Team Cassetti’s long tenure.
“We had the feeling all along this was gonna be a change election — and that’s absolutely what the voters decided tonight. They wanted a complete change in city leadership.” Hannon said. “The shine came off, and the chickens have come home to roost.”
At Team Cassetti’s headquarters on 210 Main St, the mood over a crowd of about 45 supporters started to sour shortly after 8 p.m.
At 8:30 p.m., a Cassetti supporter swapped out a victory speech prepared for the mayor. Cassetti conceded at 8:55 p.m.
“Elections are about the will of the people, and I respect that will completely,” Cassetti said.
He reflected on accomplishments from his twelve years in office, including the addition of new restaurants, businesses, and apartments downtown, the conversion of a building into a new police station and senior center, and work done to bring down blighted downtown industrial properties.
“I leave office with no regrets, only gratitude,” Cassetti said. “Gratitude for the chance to serve, to make a difference, and to work alongside so many good people who care about Ansonia as deeply as I do.”
Cassetti told The Valley Indy he plans to return to his construction company following his defeat. He didn’t rule out a future in Ansonia politics, but he said he has plans to focus on business for now.
He said he saw his defeat coming after seeing a list of names of who cast early ballots in Ansonia.
“I know just about everybody in Ansonia, and I saw the names, and I knew who they voted for. I knew right then and there who they voted for,” Cassetti said. “I said, ‘You know what? This is done.'”
(Note: The list of names of who has cast ballots is public information. Who a particular individual voted for is not. The list of names is routinely collected by parties, according to Democratic Registrar of Voters John Feddern.)
Cassetti’s concession speech is embedded below. The story continues after the video.
Democrats also won in Derby, where incumbent Mayor Joseph DiMartino fended off a challenge from Republican challenger Scott Derby. In Seymour, however, incumbent Republican First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis held her seat against Democratic challenger Theresa Conroy.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
MAYOR
Frank Tyszka {D}: 2,637
David Cassetti {R}: 1,858
Thomas Egan {petitioning candidate}: 55
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
(Two get elected per ward)
First Ward
Tyler Kennedy {D}: 346
Jacquelyn Daniels {D}: 388
Dana Haigh {R}: 236
Gary Farrar {R}: 211
Second Ward
Jaylen Daniels {D}: 292
Frank Pergola {D}: 287
Timothy Holman {R}: 215
Rasheem Gonzalez {R}: 179
Harry Danley, Jr. {petitioning candidate}: 2
Third Ward
Sean Rallis {D}: 305
Adam Prestin {D}: 295
Joseph Jeanette {R}: 220
Joseph Cassetti {R}: 215
Fourth Ward
Noah Darrow {D}: 150
Rohan Brown {D}: 147
Nathaniel Hardy {R}: 94
Robert Knott, III {R}: 104
Fifth Ward
Christopher Rogers {D}: 325
Patricia DaSilva {D}: 339
Kevin P. Mello, Jr. {R}: 234
Stephanie Mello {R}: 234
Takiya Lynee Green {petitioning candidate}: 18
Sixth Ward
Karl D. Williams {D}: 517
Daniel Stahl {D}: 458
Anthony T. Mammone {R}: 341
Joshua A. Shuart {R}: 394
Seventh Ward
Lisa Glazer {D}: 601
Anne Lynch {D}: 633
Jennifer Cassetti {R}: 394
Anthony Levinsky {R}: 443
TOWN/CITY CLERK
Beth Shortell Lynch {D}: 2,846
Tracey Delibero {R}: 1,593
TOWN/CITY TREASURER
Joseph Confinante {D}: 2,598
Cheryl Henri {R}: 1,771
BOARD OF EDUCATION
David A. Knapp {D}: 2,605
Steven Adamowski {D & R}: 2,385 {D} votes, 1,637 {R} votes
Elizabeth LaBerge {R}: 1,729
CITY SHERIFFS
Christopher Grizzle {D}: 2,283
Sean P. Rowley, Sr. {D}: 2,715
Timothy Holman {R}: 1,945
Joseph Jeanette {R}: 1,830
Frank Appleby {R}: 1,504