Democrats Sweep Council
Republicans lose seats in two districts, Democrats now hold 13-2 majority.
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Democratic Headquarters erupted in cheers Tuesday night after the Ninth District results showed that political newcomer Scott Harris Jr. ousted incumbent Republican Councilwoman Lynn Campo.
It was one of two Republican council seats that would fall into the hands of the Democrats, who now hold all nine district seats, as well as four at-large seats. The Republican representation on the council now consist of the two at-large seats required by minority representation rules.
In the Second District, Harry Gagliardi beat incumbent Republican Councilman Gabe Lupo, making Gagliardi the first person to hold council seats representing three different districts.
Harris' election signals a shift in Hamden politics, said Mayor Scott Jackson, himself elected to a second term.
"There was a time when me and Michael [D'Agostino] and Adam [Sendroff] were the young guys, but this says the town is ready for intergenerational set of leaders," Jackson said of Harris, 23, who is the youngest person ever elected to the council.
"I am ready to get to work," said Harris as dozens of supporters surrounded him. "I am going to spend the next two years listening and learning."
One of his priorities is to be responsive to his constituents, Harris said.
"I want to be the voice of my district, and my commitment is to respond in a 24-hour turnover," he said. "If someone contacts me, I will get back to you in 24 hours -- you can't be the Ninth District representative without knowing what the people are thinking.
"The politics are now over," he said, "and I'm ready to get to work."
This will be Gagliardi's third stint on the council, and with each one, he has represented a different district.
"I want to thank the Second District Town Committee members for their hard work -- they did a lot of work for me," he said.
His victory represents the will of the people for a change, he said.
"It was time for a change," he said, "and hopefully I can bring that to the people of Hamden."
John P. Flanagan
7:19 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Kate,
That's Second District for Harry not Seventh. And, I know it was noisy when you were interviewing Harry. However, I'm pointing it out because we worked our collective tails to elect Harry!
And, if you go into the background, Harry was a bigger shock to the Party "powers that be" than Scott Harris. Although, truth be told, even up until the polls closed, the "experts" and Party "savants" were assuming they wouldn't have to deal with either one.
That's why, as I've had verified by some present, the headquarters went dead silent when I called in the 2nd District results with Harry winning with 57% of the vote. I could almost feel the stunned silence over the phone.
At any rate, Harry's always been a no nonsense Councilman which is why I had no problem walking streets, showing up at the doors and making phone calls for him. But, that trait may not make him a hero with some in the Party.
And, so we'll just have to wait and see as another chapter in Town history unfolds.
A bigger problem facing the new Council will be having to read the exceptionally lenghty, new, and very unclear, Charter. I've already read through the new Charter twice. So, those opinions are based on the document itself.
But, for some veteran Council people, if they do bother to read it, it may well be a brand new experience.