Following a primary that befuddled even the most veteran of political observers, the new Democratic Town Committee had its organizational meeting last night, March 14. The March 6 primary turned expectations on their head when nine of 10 electoral districts went for the Rossi team of candidates, giving the mayor’s faction of the party control of the 60-member town committee.
Swept away following the vote were Chairman James Morrissey and the majority of his supporters that controlled the party’s fortunes since the accession of Edward M. O’Brien as mayor in 2012. Back into power were the former supporters of former Mayor John M. Picard, which now is under the solid leadership of Mayor Nancy Rossi and her team.
When the votes were in Rossi’s group swept all but the ninth district. In the onslaught Morrissey and O’Brien, who were candidates in the Eighth District, were turned out.
Asked the win, Mayor Nancy Rossi said going into the vote no one was sure what was going to happen.
“We were not sure how the Town Committee primary was going to turn out. We were certainly hopeful that we would win the majority of seats. We have a lot of new faces and energy within our team and I think it bodes well for the future of the Democratic Party,” she said.
She said the result was a vote of confidence by the Democratic voters of the city in what her new administration is trying to accomplish.
“We worked hard to contact as many Democrats as possible and let them know what our plans were for the future of the party if we were successful,” she said. “We were very pleased with the outcome and I think the result shows the confidence that people have in our promise of instilling honesty, integrity, and transparency.”
Asked about the slate of office, particularly the chairman, prior to the meeting she said discussions were still ongoing.
“The slate of officers is currently being discussed among the newly elected town committee members and will be presented at the meeting,” she said.
As the new leader of the party, Rossi was said she had her own set of goals for the party as it maps a new direction.
“The Democratic Party needs to become more transparent and accessible to the members of the party,” she said. “The 60 members elected to the Town Committee have the responsibility to represent the more than 10,000 Democrats in West Haven. The Town Committee should be more involved in the community and meetings and events open to the public. The Town Committee’s most important responsibility is to recruit and energize members and nominate and elect the most qualified candidates for local, state and national office.”
As far as those who opposed her team, she said she extended an olive branch.
“We appreciate the time and effort people put into community service and public office. We hope our opponents in this past election will join us to work together in strengthening and uniting the Democratic Party in West Haven. The words have been said many times in the past but we truly want a cohesive and united party. We will reach out and welcome the help of all Democrats,” she said.