THE VALLEY — With less than four months to go before Valley voters head to the polls in a general election scheduled for Nov. 7, the Democrats and Republicans will hold their nominating caucuses, starting on Wednesday (July 19), to nominate candidates.
ANSONIA
In Ansonia, the Republican Town Committee has scheduled their caucus for 6:15 p.m. Monday (July 24) at the Ansonia Armory, 5 State St., Ansonia.
Incumbent Mayor David Cassetti, 62, is heading the top of the GOP ticket, seeking his sixth term in office. The father of five is touting a mill rate lower than when he first took office in 2013. Cassetti announced his plans to seek re-election in February in front of the former SHW building in downtown Ansonia, just as it was in the process of being demolished to make way for potential new development.
The Ansonia Democratic Town Committee will hold its caucus at 7 p.m. Thursday (July 20) at Chifrijo Banquet Room, 309 – 311 Main St., Ansonia.
Local attorney Thomas Egan, 35, is leading the Democratic ticket. Egan announced his plans in April to challenge Cassetti, saying his displeasure with the current administration prompted him to throw his hat into the ring. Egan said he was particularly unhappy with a deal the city struck last year with Bridgeport-based Primrose Companies to build a sports training facility on Olson Drive, saying the developer got a sweetheart deal with large tax breaks. Egan represented a city resident in a lawsuit against the city last year, which a judge dismissed and which is being appealed.
The Ansonia Democrats did not run a candidate for mayor in the last election, and the party lost seats on the Board of Aldermen. But Egan said there is new blood in the party who want to turn the once dominant party around.
DERBY
The Derby Republican Town Committee (DRTC) is holding its caucus at 7 p.m. Wednesday (July 19) at the Hotchkiss Hose Co., 200 David Humphrey Rd., Derby.
Second Ward Alderman Gino DiGiovanni, 42, who is also chairman of the DRTC, is looking to his fellow Republicans to be formally nominated for mayor.
DiGiovanni said Derby has lost its unity and community involvement, two things he said he will make a priority if elected mayor. DiGiovanni, who runs DiGiovanni & Sons Construction, announced his plans to seek the city’s top office in March.
Incumbent Republican Mayor Richard Dziekan, 57, announced his re-election plans for a fourth term last week, but said he is not seeking the GOP endorsement. Rather, Dziekan said he will force a primary on Sept. 12 and let registered Republicans decide who gets on the ballot. Dziekan said he will run as a Republican and needs 61 signatures of registered Republicans to trigger a primary. He told the Valley Indy he has not lost the support of Republicans, just the small group that comprises the DRTC. Dziekan, a retired police officer and U.S. Airforce Veterans, said his strong record should propel him back into office.
The Derby Democratic Town Committee is scheduled to hold its caucus on Monday (July 24) at 7 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 183 Seymour Ave., Derby. Former Alderman, former Derby Public Works employee and longtime DHS softball coach Joseph DiMartino is once again seeking the Democratic nod for mayor. DiMartino, 56, the father of four, ran against Dziekan in 2021 and lost by 48 votes. DiMartino said he wants to change the culture of City Hall and the city because he said it’s not in a good place right now.
SEYMOUR
In nearby Seymour, the Seymour Republican Town Committee will hold its caucus on Monday (July 24) at 7 p.m. at the Seymour Community Center, 20 Pine St., Seymour. Incumbent First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis, 53, announced in January that she is seeking her second term. She wants to build on the progress made on her watch, including seeing a new access road into the Haynes Property behind Stop & Shop built which she said could ultimately open up a multi-million-dollar mixed use development of residential, commercial and retail space, as well as oversee reconstruction of the Kinneytown Dam to help preserve a portion of the Naugatuck River.
The Seymour Democratic Town Committee is set to hold its caucus on Tuesday (July 25) at 7 p.m. at the Seymour Community Center, 20 Pine St., Seymour. Selectman Phil Wilhelmy, III, who is also chairman of the SDTC, is seeking his party’s nod for first selectman.
The father of three previously served as Deputy First Selectman under former First Selectman Paul Roy and recently retired after a 33-year career with Metro-North Railroad. Wilhelmy, 60, announced his plans to run for the town’s top seat in May, saying serving 30 years in public service, on various town boards and commissions, qualifies him for the role. One of his main concerns is keeping taxes stable and the belief that when it comes to contractual obligations, there’s always room for negotiations.
