Ansonia residents returned James Della Volpe to the Mayor’s Office for the sixth time Tuesday, as Della Volpe thwarted Republican challenger Judy Larkin-Nicolari.
Unofficial results had Della Volpe receiving 2,157 votes to Larkin-Nicolari’s 1,196.
Della Volpe watched results arrive with supports at the Democrats’ headquarters at 98 Main St.
“I am extremely proud the City of Ansonia gave me an opportunity to represent them another two years,” Della Volpe said. “I am also honored, being a history major, that I am the longest serving mayor in Ansonia.”
A gracious Larkin-Nicolari arrived on Main Street to congratulate Della Volpe. She remained in the storefront talking to Democrats and shaking hands.
“I feel we fought a good campaign,” Larkin-Nicolari said. “It’s healthy for a city to have competition and for people to choose.”
Just before polls closed, the Democrats were worried about relatively low voter turnout — only 28 percent of registered voters had cast ballots by 6 p.m.
That had city attorney Kevin Blake encouraging Democrats to call registered voters from headquarters. The Democrats concentrated especially on the First and Fifth wards.
Aldermanic president Stephen Blume, who was also re-elected, said he was happy to see Della Volpe return to office.
“(Voter) turnout is low because everyone is happy and taxes are down,” Blume said.
The city’s Fifth Ward had the closest race, with candidate Joan Radin losing her shot at the Board of Aldermen seat by only 10 votes.
With 218 votes, Radin lost to Spero Jordanides who, received 228 votes.
The other winner in Ansonia Aldermen races include:
Ward 1: Edward Adamowksi, D, and Robert Duffus, D
Ward 2: James Fainer, D and Jason Bender, D
Ward 3: Joseph Jeanette, D and John Marini, R
Ward 4: Jerome Fainer, D and Robert Beal, D
Ward 5: Spero Jordanides, D and Pasquale M. Pietrangelo, D
Ward 6: Gene Sharkey, D and Scott Nihill, D
Ward 7: Stephen Blume, D and Tara Kolakowski, D
Finally, the question on the ballot on a single, technical change to the city’s charter passed by a large margin. Click here to read about the charter change.
