The first Democratic candidates for Fairfields top local post officially came forward this week. Board of Finance member Michael Tetreau filed as a candidate for first selectman in Novembers election. He also already chose his running mate, Representative Town Meeting minority leader Cristin McCarthy-Vahey.
"We form a dynamic team, complementing each other's strengths," said Tetreau. "We still have a lot of work to do, and this is just the first step in launching the Fairfield 2011 campaign. We are committed and ready to bring a new leadership team to our town."
Tetreau has served for the last six years on the nine-member Board of Finance, which approves all of the towns spending and investments. Professionally, he is the ice president of sales for William Raveis Real Estate in Fairfield. He has received the Democratic Partys endorsement to replace Kenneth Flatto as interim first selectman when the five-term leader leaves at the end of this week. Tetreau also scored the public endorsement of state Rep. Kim Fawcett, Fairfields only Democrat in the state General Assembly.
"With Mike's demonstrated experience in both business and government and Cristin's active involvement in both school and community efforts, we will bring together a winning team one the people of Fairfield will enjoy getting to know, " Fawcett said.
McCarthy-Vahey has served on the RTM, Fairfields legislative body, since 2005. She has been the Democratic leader on the board for the past two years. As Tetreaus running mate, she will go after a spot on the three-member Board of Selectmen, the towns executive body. If she wins in November, she would replace current Democratic Selectman Sherri Steeneck, who has said she will not seek re-election in the fall.
Tetreau is the first Democrat to officially announce his candidacy. He joins a race against two Republicans: David Becker, an RTM member from District 1, and fellow Board of Finance member Robert Bellitto Jr.
What do you think of the Tetreau/McCarthy-Vahey ticket? Who else would you like to see in the first selectmans race? Start the conversation in the comments below.
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