Conroy
SEYMOUR – Theresa Conroy, a Democratic selectwoman and former state representative, announced Monday she is running for the town’s top seat.
Conroy, 68, is challenging incumbent First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis, a Republican who is running for her third term.
“The more I’ve sat on the Board of Selectpersons for the last year and a half as a minority representative, I realize you have a voice to advocate for things, but you’re not in the driver’s seat to really make the changes,” Conroy said. “A lot of my ideas have been put by the wayside. And I think we’re at a time now where we need a fresh start.”
Conroy filed her paperwork May 5 in the Seymour Town Clerk’s office. She said she will officially kick off her campaign 6 p.m., May 29 at Hot Tamale Mexican Bar & Grill on New Haven Road.
Conroy has deep roots in Seymour. Her late father, Frank, was a former First Selectman. Her late mother, Ann, was the town’s unofficial historian.
She said it is the first time in Seymour’s history that two women are running for the highest office in town.
Conroy previously served on the Board of Selectpersons under former Democratic First Selectman Paul Roy. She represented Seymour and Beacon Falls in the state House of Representatives from 2009 until 2011, and again from 2013 to 2017.
She was elected again to the Seymour Board of Selectpersons in 2023.
Conroy spent more than 30 years as an advanced practice registered nurse and nurse manager for the West Haven Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Middlesex Hospital. She retired in 2008.
Drugonis was initially appointed as First Selectwoman by her fellow selectpersons in October 2020 after Kurt Miller vacated the office to take a job in Ansonia government. Miller now works in Drugonis’ office, while also working as Ansonia’s budget director.
Drugonis ran for the seat unopposed in the November 2021 municipal election. In 2023 she defeated Democrat Phil Wilhelmy, III to gain re-election. Drugonis has served on the Board of Selectpersons since 2007.
“While I respect the hard work of those who came before me, I believe Seymour is ready for a shift toward more proactive, transparent and visionary leadership,” Conroy said.
Conroy plans to focus her campaign in part on strengthening economic development, investing in town infrastructure, and revitalizing downtown and community life.
“We just went through a very difficult budget season, and we really need to strengthen our economic development,” Conroy said. “I’ve worked with the state, and we’ve got to tap into the state Department of Economic and Community Development to help us.”
Conroy said eyesores like the former Seymour Lumber and Housatonic Wire Co. properties need to be developed, along with the “gaping hole in the ground” on Main Street that burned to the ground three years ago.
She said the best chance for Seymour to grow its economic base is to get the 220 plus acres of land behind Stop & Shop on Franklin Street, owned by Tom Haynes, developed
Drugonis has been working with Haynes and state and federal officials in trying to get money for an access road built there to pave the way for mixed-use development, similar to Haynes’ Quarry Walk in neighboring Oxford.
“I’ll prioritize partnerships with developers, local businesses and regional leaders to expand our commercial base and grow our grand list,” Conroy said. “This means more resources for schools, roads and services, without raising property taxes on families.”
Conroy said she’ll also focus on a long-term plan for roads, town buildings and facilities, and seek out state and federal resources to help fund improvements. She also supports building a new Bungay School, which is expected to go to a referendum later this year.
Conroy also said it’s time to bring back events like “First Saturdays” where people gather downtown to support small businesses.
“We used to have a lot more activity downtown, which is the heart of our community, and I want to bring that back,” Conroy said.
Conroy wants to find ways to help senior citizens struggling to make ends meet, as well as working folks having trouble paying bills and putting food on the table.
“A lot of people are struggling. We need to reach out to our state and federal delegations to help and make our town a much better place to live for all of us,” Conroy said.
Conroy has a nursing degree from Quinnipiac College, a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Southern Connecticut State University, and a master’s degree in family nursing from Fairfield University. She graduated from Seymour High School in 1975.
She is married to Mary Ellen LoGiudice, a retired Seymour educator, and is mother of two grown sons, Joseph M. Niezelski, who is chairman of Seymour’s Conservation Commission, and Frank Niezelski, who resides in New York.
Conroy also authored the “Images of America: Seymour” book which pays tribute to the town’s history, with proceeds donated to the Seymour Historical Society.
“Seymour is the gem of the Valley, and we have so much potential here,” Conroy said. “We need to harvest that, and I have a lot of experience behind me to do just that. I am in it to win it.”
The Valley Indy reached out to Drugonis for reaction. She welcomed Conroy to the race.
“I am surprised it’s taken her this long to announce she’s going to run,” Drugonis said. “Last year she mentioned it to me. It’s always good for people to have choices. That’s always a good thing.”
