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The city’s registered Democrats are set to decide who will challenge four-term incumbent Richard Moccia in this fall’s mayoral race Tuesday. Former Town Clerk Andy Garfunkel, Common Council member Matt Miklave, former Police Chief Harry Rilling and District D Democratic Chair Vinny Mangiacopra are all on the ballot.
Mangiacopra has staked out a lead in fund-raising, taking in a total of nearly $70,000 over the course of the entire campaign, as of the final campaign filing on Sept. 3. Mangiacopra’s campaign also had more than $15,000 on hand. Rilling was second with nearly $64,000 to date.
“Our fund-raising success allows us to communicate our message to as many voters as possible,” Mangiacopra said. “We’ve worked hard to do that and based on the feedback we’ve been hearing, the message is resonating. Norwalkers are ready for a new generation of leadership.”
The Miklave campaign issued a news release Wednesday claiming a lead over the four other candidates in internal polls. Miklave took 16 percent of the vote, compared to 14 percent for Rilling and 4 percent each for Mangiacopra and Garfunkel, according to his campaign’s data.
But undecided voters (38 percent) and respondents who refused to disclose their vote (26 percent) both outpaced all four candidates, according to the campaign’s poll.
“I believe voters want reform,” Miklave said. “I believe they’re tired of our city being run by the party insiders. I believe the gap will continue to grow in our favor.”
Rilling also made a major announcement this week. On Tuesday Norwalk’s Democratic statehouse delegation — State Sen. Bob Duff and State Reps. Bruce Morris and Chris Perone — all endorsed Rilling in the primary.
“Together we can unite Norwalk and have a city hall that works for everyone,” Rilling said on his Facebook page after the announcement.
Polls are open for the Democratic Primary from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 10. Only registered Democrats living in Norwalk are eligible to vote. Unaffiliated voters have until noon Monday to register their affiliation to qualify to vote.
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