Tuesday, November 4, is election day. It’s decision time following months of campaigning, promises, letters, introductions, growing presentations of posters and lawn signs, and — we hope — research done by those who will have the final opportunity to vote for the next group of Newtown’s municipal leaders.

Residents are voting in 14 races this year, including the town’s top leader. Republican Jeff Capeci is hoping to earn a second term as First Selectman, while Bruce Walczak is hoping to unseat him. Walczak’s name appears on both the Democratic and Independent party lines.

Beyond that salaried position, all remaining openings are volunteer positions. For 39 available openings on nine additional boards or commissions, another 56 people stepped up to continue working in their current position or to fill a vacancy.

Most of the contests are true competitions, with more people running for a position than there are available openings. A few, however, are following due process in running for an open position.

Republican Kadri Graffeo is running for the sole Board of Assessment Appeals opening.

The four people running for the Board of Education — Democrat Doria Linnetz, and Republicans Melisa Beylouni, Don Ramsey and Shannon Tomai — will ultimately fill the four available openings.

Similarly, Republican Dennis Bloom is guaranteed the one opening available to fill a two-year vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals, and Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate candidates Betsy Paynter (D), Stephen Riccitelli (R) and Pete Wlasuk (D) will have wins at the end of the campaign.

Despite knowing the outcomes, residents should recognize the work that faces these individuals and be thankful for their service at the same level all others will be celebrated after polls close and results are known Tuesday night.

Early voting opened October 20, and continues to Sunday, November 2. The Newtown Registrar of Voters Office, within Newtown Municipal Center at 3 Primrose Street, will be open 10 am-6 pm daily until Sunday, offering the early voting opportunity.

Early Voting Counts

Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas announced on October 29 that as of 10 am that morning her office had been notified of 15,955 absentee ballots across the state ready to be counted after polls close on Tuesday.

Additionally, 18,614 state residents participated in early voting as of that same time.

Those numbers, she noted, were provisional and subject to change. Not all towns report on the same schedule, and regular audits and conducted throughout the early voting period to verify accuracy.

Traditional in-person voting will take place Tuesday, with all registered voters invited to visit their polling location between 6 am and 8 pm to cast ballots. Residents of District 1 vote at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street; District 2 residents vote at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road; and District 3 residents vote at Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane.

If you are unsure of your polling district, visit our online calendar listing for November 4, where links for that information and much more are included within the Election Day listing.

Local Candidates

Following the order of the State of Connecticut Official Ballot (which can also be accessed through a link within our November 4 Election Day online calendar listing), the candidates for Newtown’s 2025 municipal elections are as follows:

First Selectman: Bruce Walczak (Democratic and Independent parties), Jeff Capeci (Republican).

Board of Selectmen: Paul Lundquist (D), Charlie Gardner (R).

Legislative Council (select up to four in each district): District 1 — Christopher Gardner (D), Brian Leonardi (R), Laura Miller (D), Derek Pisani (R), Christopher Eide (D), Steve Stolfi (R); District 2 — Keith Alexander (D), Donna Rahtelli (R), Eric Paradis (D), Jennifer Nicoletti (R), Jordana Bloom (D), Matt Mihalcik (R); District 3 — Lily MacHugh (D), Ben Ruben (R), Tom Long (petitioning candidate), Arnie Berman (D), Tracey Pertoso (R), Michelle Embree Ku (D), John Zachos (R).

Town Clerk: Renee Weimann (D), Debbie Aurelia Halstead (R).

Board of Finance (vote for up to six): Janette Lamoureaux (D), Jim Landy (R), James Gaston (D), Amybeth Laroche (R), John Fletcher (D), Steven Goodridge (R), Beth Young (D), Barney Molloy (R).

Board of Education (vote for up to four): Doria Linnetz (D), Don Ramsey (R), Melissa Beylouni (R), Shannon Tomai (R).

Board of Assessment Appeals: Kadri Graffeo (R).

Planning & Zoning Commission (vote for up to two): Peter Schwarz (D), Gregory Rich (R), Roy Meadows (R).

Planning & Zoning Commission Alternates (vote for up to three): Jill Soderholm (D), Will Drew (R), Don Mitchell (D), David Landau (R).

Zoning Board of Appeals (full term, vote for up to two): Alan Clavette (D), Rachel Rowan (R), Jim O’Connor (R).

Zoning Board of Appeals (to fill two-year vacancy): Dennis Bloom (R).

Zoning Board of Appeals Alternates (vote for up to three): Betsy Paynter (D), Pete Wlasuk (R), Stephen Riccitelli (R).

Police Commissioners (vote for up to two): Dan Cruson Jr (D), Keith Torreso (R), Neil Chaudhary (Newtown Forward Party), Scott Cicciari (R).

Board of Managers Edmond Town Hall: Herbert Rosenthal (D), Melanie Mattegat (R).

Profiles of all candidates have been presented in The Newtown Bee, in print (October 17 and 24) and online.

Read more here: Candidate Profiles, Part One: BOE, Board Of Finance, Board Of Selectmen, First Selectman, Police Commission, Town Clerk, Zoning Board Of Appeals, ZBA Alternates

and here: Candidate Profiles, Part Two: Board Of Assessment Appeals, Edmond Town Hall Board Of Managers, Legislative Council, Planning & Zoning Commission

=====

Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.