#MiddelburyCT #MiddleburyDemocrats #Primary
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
The power struggle for control of the Middlebury Democratic Town Committee (MDTC) continues Tuesday, March 3, 2026. That’s when Middlebury Democrats will have the opportunity to cast their votes for members of the MDTC in an MDTC primary. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Shepardson Community Center at 1172 Whittemore Road in Middlebury. The 25 current members of the committee are being challenged by 15 mostly former members, many of whom were ousted en masse in 2024.
That’s when, in a move this newspaper described as a “coup d’DTC,” 86 Democrats showed up for the MDTC caucus that usually drew about 20 people. The majority of those who showed up intended to take over the existing MDTC, and they succeeded, ousting 11 existing members and installing 25 regular members and five alternates. The existing members were Curtis Bosco, Mark Petrucci, Sharon Bosco, Fran Barton Jr., Selectman J. Paul Vance, Meg Vance, Bryan Ferrucci, Stephen Ferruci, Linda Herrmann, Michael McVerry and Thomas Gilbertie. Since then, some of those overthrown apparently have been biding their time, waiting to attempt to retake control of the Democratic Town Committee. They may do so on March 3.
The challengers put forth no nominations at the January 6, 2026, MDTC caucus, instead remaining silent as MDTC members for the next two years were elected. Most were members who had been elected in 2024.
Then, on January 29, Middlebury Town Clerk Brigitte Bessette arrived at work to find a legal notice on her desk that announced the March 3 primary. Bessette, who posted the legal notice January 31, 2026, said the partially complete legal notice dated January 28, 2026, was from Democratic Registrar of Voters Francis L. Barton and was stapled to the Secretary of the State’s office example of the suggested format of the legal notice. Bessette also received emails from the MDTC raising questions about the filing and handling of the primary petitions.
This led to an email chain that included Bessette, Barton, Middlebury First Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr, Curtis Bosco, Staff attorney Bernard Liu of the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office, and the MDTC. Bessette, at the request of Mahr, asked for a point of contact with whom the first selectwoman could follow up on the matter. That email received no response.
Because a public notice had stated opposing candidacies must be filed no later than 4 p.m. on January 28, 2026, the MDTC, in an email addressed to the two registrars of voters (Barton and Republican Registrar Nancy Robison) and Bessette, requested the following information:
- Confirmation the petition was received on January 28 and the official date and time it was received and time-stamped or recorded by the Registrars’ office,
- Proof of receipt in the form of a copy of the time-stamped document or log record of the date and time of receipt,
- Non-conflicted acceptance because Barton is both a registrar and an opposing candidate
- Copies of the petition pages as filed, including signature pages, or the right to inspect or copy those pages
- Where the original petition documents are physically maintained and which office is the custodian of record for the filed petition; and
- A non-conflicted review, verification and recusal confirmation.
For item 3, the MDTC asked for written confirmation stating which official received the petition and time-stamped and/or recorded it.
Co-chairman Katie Martin said Barton originally told the DTC they needed to pay for the materials and she personally must pick up the package within a designated two-hour window. However, on February 24, 2026, she was told she could pick them up February 26 and there would be no charge. She also said Co-chairman Sally Romano has asked many times to view the original petition pages that were to be filed with the town clerk’s office. Bessette initially received photocopies, but, also on February 24, 2026, she received the originals.
On March 3, Democrats will decide who they want to lead them. Designated on the ballot by an asterisk next to them are the names of each current endorsed MDTC member. They are:
Donald Andrews*
Katharina Anger*
Donna Bannon *
Maryann Barra*
Ralph Barra*
Karen Bertelsen*
Charles Couture*
Edwin Durgy*
Janice Joseph*
Allison Kimble-Cusano*
James Klemundt*
Charles Larkin*
Patricia Lindenman*
Katherine Martin*
Shannon Martin *
Janice Paul*
Sarah Proulx*
Sally Romano*
Jordan Santos*
Dana Shepard*
Carol Taylor*
Paul Taylor*
Barbara Yantorno*
Christian Yantorno*
Michael Yantorno*
The challengers’ names, with no asterisk next to them, are:
Francis L. Barton Jr.
Mary G. Barton
Michael C. Culhane
George F. Flaherty Jr.
Tara R. Flaherty
Thomas Joseph Gilbertie
Linda D. Herrmann
Carl Robert Mancini
Beth M. McCormack
Mary Anne McCormack
Michael J. McCormack
Michael J. McVerry
Mark M. Petrucci
Margaret A. Vance
Paul J. Vance
