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Fairfield Dems: Ready To Run

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Michael Tetreau has had his new job for only 18 days. But he has already started his fight to keep it. Tetreau, Fairfield’s interim first selectman, launched his campaign to remove the “interim” from his title this November. He and running mate Cristin McCarthy Vahey began their run at the Colony Grill in Fairfield with a visit from Gov. Dannel Malloy.

“Make sure that we stay the course,” Malloy said, referring to the 10 straight years Fairfield has had a Democratic first selectman. “You couldn’t have two finer candidates. You couldn’t be a better town. Don’t let anyone take that away from you.”

Tetreau took over as Fairfield’s chief executive office June 10, after a panel of the town’s elected Democrats unanimously chose him to replace former First Selectman Kenneth Flatto. He will hold office until at least Nov. 8, when voters will decide. Flatto took the job in April as executive director of the state Division of Special Revenue.

In the election, Tetreau will face either Representative Town Meeting member David Becker or his former colleague on the Board of Finance, Robert Bellitto Jr. Both men started their campaigns for the Republican nomination earlier this spring. The GOP will select its candidate at its caucus July 19.

McCarthy Vahey is minority leader in Fairfield’s legislature, the Representative Town Meeting. She is running with Tetreau hoping to keep the Democratic majority on the three-member Board of Selectmen. Though the two officially launched their campaigns Monday evening, McCarthy said she feels like she’s always campaigning by listening to her constituents.

“It’s just wonderful to hear people’s stories, and some of the history, and how we’re all connected to each other in the community,” McCarthy Vahey said. “That part just astounds me.”

About 100 supporters joined Tetreau and McCarthy Vahey at their launch Monday. Many were fellow Democratic leaders. Tetreau pointed out that he had many high school classmates and family members in attendance as well. He said that running the town he grew up in puts an interesting perspective on his decisions.

“First selectman is the only job where you have 35,000 bosses,” Tetreau said. “When they’re your friends, your family, the kids you went to high school with … it’s a different feeling. You just feel a greater responsibility.”

What issues do you think are most important in this November’s election? Tell us what you think matters most in the comments below, or send questions for the candidates to gcanuel@thedailyfairfield.com.

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