48°
FAIRFIELD, Conn. Fairfields Republicans have spoken, and Robert Bellitto, Jr. is their candidate for the town's top elected post. The Board of Finance member beat out Representative Town Meeting member David Becker and firefighter Hugh Dolan for the partys nomination in the GOP caucus Tuesday.
I feel proud, excited, tired, Bellitto said after the results were announced. Im very thrilled and very grateful to the Republican voters of Fairfield for coming out on a sweltering July day to cast a ballot for me.
Out of 10,335 registered Republicans in Fairfield, 937 cast ballots for first selectman candidates in Tuesdays caucus. Bellittos unofficial tally after the hand count was 493. Becker came in second with 376 votes, followed by Dolans 68.
Current Selectman James Walsh will join Bellitto on the GOP ticket in the November election. Walsh, a former RTM moderator, has served on the board since May 2010, when he was appointed to fill the spot vacated after the death of Republican Selectman Ralph Bowley.
[Jims] a straight shooter. He cares about Fairfield, he asks tough questions and hes a good man, Bellitto said. Im looking forward to working with him on the campaign and hopefully on the Board of Selectmen.
The two will run against Interim First Selectman Michael Tetreau and RTM Minority Leader Cristin McCarthy Vahey for the majority on the three-member Board of Selectmen. Because of Fairfields minority representation laws, at least one member from each party makes it to the towns executive board in November. The winners decide on budget and spending authorizations, labor agreements, legal claims, appointments to boards and commissions, use of town facilities, ordinances and changes to the Town Charter for the next four years.
Becker and Dolan can challenge the results by forcing a primary. Either would need to gather 517 signatures on a petition to demand a second vote. Becker sent an open letter to his opponents before their debate last Monday, suggesting that the Tuesday caucus winner should receive the full support of the second and third place candidates.
Dolan was not available at the ballot-counting for comment. But after the results came in Tuesday, Becker said he was unsure whether he would seek a primary.
I think its fair that [my campaign staff and I] sit down and talk about my plans in general, Becker said. Ive been in campaign mode for so long, [the result] has just settled in.
What do you think of Robert Bellittos chances as a candidate for first selectman?
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.
