SEYMOUR – Republican First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis received the nod Tuesday (July 15) to seek re-election to a third term in office.
Drugonis, 56, was the unanimous choice of the Seymour Republican Town Committee during the RTC’s nominating caucus held at the Seymour Community Center. Thirty members attended.
Drugonis has been the Seymour First Selectwoman since 2020.
Prior to making her acceptance speech, Drugonis thanked her daughter, Alana, 21, a college senior who is following in her mom’s footsteps as a political science major.
“I want to thank my daughter, Alana, for sharing her mom with this town since I first joined the Board of Selectmen in 2007. Your strength and encouragement inspire me every day. I love you.”
Drugonis touted some of the accomplishments made on her administration’s watch over the last two years. Some of those include the completion of the Holbrook Road reconstruction project, keeping the town in good fiscal shape, helping the community rebuild after the devastating flood last August and working with state and federal partners to lay the groundwork for the development of more than 220 acres behind Stop & Shop.
Looking ahead to another two years in office, Drugonis said she wants to see the nearly $7 million Bungay/Botsford roads and West Church Street reconstruction project come to fruition, improve other town roads, grow the grand list and partner with developers and businesses to bring more jobs and opportunities to Seymour.
“We’re not done. Moving Seymour forward means bold, proactive leadership,” Drugonis said. “It involves working together to revitalize properties and transforming them into assess that strengthen our community. It means listening to every voice – whether you’ve lived here your whole life or just moved to Seymour – because everyone deserves a seat at the table.”
Durgonis got her start in town politics in 2007 when she became a member of the Board of Selectpersons. She was initially appointed as First Selectwoman by her fellow selectpersons in October 2020 when former Republican First Selectman Kurt Miller vacated the office to take a job in Ansonia government. He’s now Seymour’s chief administrative officer and town treasurer.
Drugonis then ran for the seat unopposed in the November 2021 municipal election. In 2023 she defeated Phil Wilhelmy, III, a Democrat, to gain re-election.
A major presence on social media, Drugonis keeps residents informed with her“What’s Happening in the 888” editions on Facebook.
Drugonis is a 1987 graduate of Shelton High School with a college degree in environmental engineering.
High Praise From The GOP
State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R‑105), a former Deputy First Selectwoman who served alongside Drugonis, nominated her longtime friend to seek another term.
“I could go through Annmarie’s accomplishments, what she does for the town, for public safety, for economic development, but what really comes to mind is, her first priority is the residents of the Town of Seymour – that’s always what she’s thinking about,” Klarides-Ditria said. “If we go back to the devastating flood last August, that truly showcased her leading abilities. She is that boots-on-the-ground, literally, type of gal. She was there at the emergency operation center calling the fire department, calling EMS, seeing what she could do to help everyone in town.”
Klarides-Ditria’s family owns the Klarides Village plaza on Bank Street, whose small mom and pop businesses bore the brunt of the flood damage. She and Drugonis worked side by side with others to ensure the plaza bounced back.
“I stand here humbled and honored to nominate Annmarie Drugonis for another two- year term as first selectwoman,” Klarides-Ditria said.
Selectwoman Trish Danka seconded Drugonis’ nomination.
“One of the things Annmarie does that’s so impressive is she’s really in this position for the right reasons for our residents and to support everyone in town, businesses, included,” Danka said. “We’ve been on opposite sides of the fence on things. But she is a person that will listen, have a conversation and decide whether she’s going to hold firm or if what you’re saying really makes sense and shift. That’s so important when you have a leader that’s willing to work with everyone involved.”
Democrat Theresa Conroy, a former state Representative and current member of the Seymour Board of Selectpersons, is seeking to challenge Drugonis for her seat. Town Democrats are scheduled to host a nominating caucus on Wednesday, July 16 at 6:30 pm at the Seymour Community Center.
In addition to Drugonis, the Seymour RTC unanimously endorsed the following under-ticket:
Board of Selectpersons:
Trish Danka
Al Bruno
Bob Findley
Scott Andrews
Board of Finance:
Richard Demko
Bev Kennedy
Quinn Levey
Board of Finance Alternates:
Susan Duke
Alyssa DeMatteo
(The candidate was not aware of the nomination and could not accept due to rules regarding political activities of active military members)
Board of Education:
Kristen Bruno
Chris Champagne
Peter Kubik
Library Board of Directors:
Alex Danka
Paula Chapla
Board of Police Commissioners:
John Duke
Robert Koskelowski, Sr.
Board of Assessment Appeals:
Paul Wetowitz
Scott Blakeman
Planning and Zoning Commission:
Brian Sirowich