#MiddleburyCT #RepublicanTownCommittee #DemocraticTownCommittee #Election
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
The Middlebury Democratic and Republican Town Committees met in July to choose their candidates for the November 4, 2025, election. At this time, the names on the ballot will include those endorsed candidates plus Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr, who is a petitioning candidate for first selectman. The list of candidates will follow.
Please note that Middlebury Town Clerk Brigitte Bessette explained three possibilities for changes in that list. Two possibilities have a deadline of August 6: someone could choose to primary or someone could apply to the state for a nominating petition. The third possible change would be a candidate could withdraw. Candidates may withdraw until September 19. If that happens, a replacement has to be chosen by September 23.
At this time, three candidates are vying for First Selectman: Democrat Michael McCormack, Republican Vincent Cipriano, and Unaffiliated candidate Jennifer Mahr.
Town Clerk Brigitte Bessette (R) is up for re-election to a four-year term and is running unopposed. She is endorsed by the Republicans and cross-endorsed by the Democrats.
Town Treasurer Janine Bowler (R) is up for re-election. She is endorsed by the Republicans and is opposed by Ralph Barra (D), who is endorsed by the Democrats.
The Board of Finance has three positions open – two full-term six-year positions and one term of four years to fill a vacancy. The six-year terms of John A. Jenusaitis (R) and Stephen Ruccio (D) are expiring. Minority representation rules allow the Republicans to endorse one candidate and the Democrats to endorse two candidates. The Republicans have endorsed current First Selectman Edward B. St. John as their candidate. The Democrats have endorsed Donald Andrews and Charles “Casey” Larkin IV as their two candidates.
For the four-year term to fill a vacancy, minority representation rules allow one Democratic endorsement and no Republican endorsements. Democrat John Moriarty, who had been serving as a Board of Finance alternate was appointed to fill the late Joe Drauss’s position and could have asked for the Democratic endorsement. He said, however, that after careful consideration he emailed MDTC chair Sally Romano on July 3 to withdraw his name from consideration. Subsequently, the Democrats endorsed Michael McCormack.
Each party can endorse one candidate for the four-year term on the Board of Assessment Appeals currently held by Brendan Browne. The Democrats endorsed Mary Ann Hebert (U), and the Republicans endorsed Brendan Browne.
Three four-year term Police Commission members, Paul Bowler (R), George Moreira (R) and Thomas King (R) are up for re-election. The Republicans endorsed all three to another four-year term. The Democrats endorsed Ralph Barra (D), David Erwin (D) and Joshua Hubbard (U) for these positions.
For two four-year positions on the Water Pollution Control Authority currently held by Daniel Civitello (R) and Mark Petrucci (D), Republicans could endorse one candidate, Democrats two. Republicans endorsed Antonio Mancini (R), Democrats endorsed Charles “Casey” Larkin IV and Petrucci.
Library Trustees serve six-year terms, and the terms of Republicans Rita Smith and Mary Veillette are ending. Each party can endorse two candidates. The Republicans endorsed Smith and Veillette. The Democrats endorsed Janice Paul (D) and Janice Joseph (D).
One full six-year term and one two-year vacancy term for the Pomperaug Valley Water Authority will be on the ballot. Democrat Francis Barton Jr. currently holds the six-year term. Minority representation rules allowed only the Democrats to endorse a candidate for this position. That candidate is Michael Yantorno. Both parties can endorse a candidate to fill the two-year vacancy. The Democrats endorsed Christian Yantorno, the Republicans endorsed Christopher Gilbertie.
Finally, two positions are up for re-election on the Region 15 Board of Education, those of Republicans Shannon Cavallo and John Jenusaitis. Minority representation rules do not apply to these positions. Republicans endorsed Cavallo and Jenusaitis, Democrats endorsed Shannon Martin and Jonathan Woodhouse.
In person voting will be Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center. The September issue of this newspaper will provide information on absentee voting and early voting.
