The city’s political season is about to heat up.
The Republicans are slated to pick their municipal candidates Thursday while the Democrats plan to follow suit on Monday, July 27.
The biggest question remains who will take on Mayor Art Ward, the Democratic incumbent who is seeking reelection.
Since Ken Johnson, the 2007 Republican mayoral contender, pulled out this spring, the party has been searching for someone willing to challenge Ward.
So far, there haven’t been any takers.
Both parties aim to field candidates for mayor, treasurer and each of the six City Council seats on the November 3 general election ballot.
It’s possible, particularly on the Democratic side, that there may be primaries as well. They would take place in September.
The GOP doesn’t yet have a candidate to challenge incumbent Democratic Treasurer Bill Veits.
In two of the three council districts, each of which has two seats, the Republicans haven’t found a pair of contenders so far.
At this point, each of the incumbents is seeking reelection to another two year term except for two councilors, 3rd District Democrats Frank Nicastro and Craig Minor.
In the 1st District, incumbent Cliff Block, a Democrat, and Mike Rimcoski, a Republican, are angling for another term. Also in the running is newcomer Kevin Fuller, a Democrat.
In the 2nd District, incumbents Kevin McCauley, a Democrat, and Republican Ken Cockayne are running again. Also seeking election in the district is Republican Richard Scarola and Democrats Al Marko and Tom Ragaini.
In the 3rd District, Democrats Terry Parker and Kate Matthews face a challenge from Republican Derek Czenczelewski. Another GOP hopeful will announce shortly before the nominating convention Thursday, party officials said.
Mayors serve two-year terms for about $100,000 annually. The treasurer earns $5,000 yearly while councilors collect $10,000.
Though most candidates who earn a place on the ballot are nominated by their party’s town committee, anyone can force a primary by collecting signatures. For information about the relevant laws, check with the city clerk’s office and the registrar’s office.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
23 comments:
ooh, who is this mystery candidate in the third!? how exciting!!
Where is the loyal opposition?
Where is Johnson when we need him?
Who is this Kevin Fuller that is running in the 1st? I thought the GOP 1st District Chairman was going to run with Mike Rimcoski? To bad, we need more young people to step up. At times they seem to be the only ones that are willing to take risk and actually listen to the voters. Oh well!
Sure would be nice if we had a two party system in Bristol.
Too bad Bristol won't support a two party system in Bristol.....
Who is the head of the Republican Party in Bristol?
Why aren't they doing anything?
Will the Republicans field a full slate?
TJ Barnes is on record to do so, but seems like he is missing a few slots.
Maybe he will run???
If the Republican leaders in their districts can't find an individual to fill a vacancy in the council races, then the District Chair-person should step up and fill the slot themselves. Unfortunately due to the clueless-ness of the leadership of the said party, that has not happened. Maybe this year at least one of them (in the 1st or 3rd District) will wake up out of their dillusion of importance and do such.
Word on the street is that the Third District actually has Czenczelewski and THREE mystery candidates. Thursday night will be quite interesting!
are the republicans trying to push czenczelewski out of the race with their three mystery candidates, 9:40? how mysterious.
David Mills would be a great republican to run in the third.
5:25
Is slots a catchall term for many things?
Once again I agree with Concerned Conservative (something is wrong with the universe)
If you're volunteering to work as a district chair person, yet can't somehow find a candidate, then you should at least consider stepping up yourself to set the example.
And as much as I'm not voting for czenczelewski I wouldn't be surprise if the GOP tried to force him out. Nothing seems more intimidating to power in Bristol than a young person who can think.
People should only run for office if they want to - not be forced. Running for any elected office is a commitment. If you are forced to run that person will not have his/her heart in the right place. If there is no GOP's that want to step up (even Chairs) you leave the seat open. Just because you are a member of the GOP committee does not justify having to run for office. Geez get a life!
COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE
1. CARELLO, BRIANNA MORIN
2. CASAR, ROBERT A. (Chairman) robert.casar@att.net
3. FIORITO, ROBERT M.
4. GOLDWASSER, MARVIN S.
5. KAPCHENSKY, ANDREA
6. SCHAFFRICK, GARY
7. MERRICK, ROBERT J.
8. CERITELLO, SAMANTHA
9. PARENTI, ROSE C.
10. RAYMOND, HENRY, J. III
11. CERITELLO, TIMOTHY
12. LODGE, SCOTT
14. RAYMOND, STACY
Town Chair – Tom Barnes (TJ)
1st Vice Chairman - Gary M. Schaffrick
2nd Vice Chairman - Henry Raymond
Just to clarify some confusion, you do NOT need to be a member of the Town Committee in order to run for office.
In fact, the Third District took the lead months ago by posting a release on this very blog soliciting interested people to come forward to learn more about the process.
If the rumors here are true, and they do have 4 people interested in running, it appears as if they're in good shape and the rest of the RTC can't get their act together.
July 20, 2009 5:05 PM:
You are completely incorrect.
July 20, 2009 5:05 PM:
You don't know what you're talking about. It's the responsibility of the district chairman to see that council candidate places (two) are filled. If the Chairman fails to find two people than that person shouyld fill the spot him/herself. That is their duty. Otherwise the chairperson SHOULD RESIGN
Thank you Ken Johnson, you and your buddies screwed up TWO elections!
Concerned Conservative You really have no clue! Were in the bylaws does it say that a Chair has to run for office if they can not find a nomination? The Chair is there to run meetings and be a middleman for the e-board - thats it. You really have no clue! Get a life!
July 22, 2009 12:28 PM:
It's an unwritten rule that people with a clue all know. Obviously you aren't one.
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