Candidate Profiles
This November, 113 candidates are running for 68 positions in Fairfield. Depending on which of Fairfield’s ten districts you live in, you’ll be asked to vote for 25 out of up to 45 candidates. But don’t be daunted! On this page you’ll find links to profiles of all the candidates running for office. If you’re short on time, just focus on the Board of Selectmen (vote for 2 out of 4) and your RTM district (4 out of 8 in most districts), which arguably are the elections that will have the biggest impact on our town government over the next few years.
TO USE THIS PAGE: Click on each name below to go to the Candidate Profile.
FOR POSITION INFO: Follow links below or go to Our Town Gov’t page HERE.
NOTE: Names are in alphabetical order. Asterisks ** = incumbent.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Three-member board headed by First Selectman
Term length: 4 years, no limit
Choose 1 First Selectman and 1 Selectman
Top 3 vote getters overall will be elected
Learn more about the BoS HERE
CANDIDATES RUNNING:
RTM
Fairfield has 10 districts
Each district has 4 RTM members = 40 total
Term length: 2 years, no limit
In your district, select 4 candidates
Learn more about the RTM HERE
CANDIDATES RUNNING:
(choose 4 in your district)
Find your RTM district HERE.
Edward J. Bateson (R)
Steve Chessare (R) **
Mike Mahoney (R) **
Amy O'Shea (R) **
Bill Gerber (D) **
Bill Llewellyn (R)
Erin Lopez (D) **
Karen McCormack (R)
Eric Newman (D) **
Richard Parker (R)
Cynthia Grabowski Perham (D) **
Jeff Steele (R)
Sara Camarro (R)
Alex Durrell (R) **
Matthew Jacobs (D) **
Peter Koutroulas (R)
Kasandra Marshall (D)
Scott Nickel (D)
Sharon Pistilli (D) **
Caitlin Schmidt (R)
Jim Baldwin (R)
Sol Briks (R)
Dan Ford (R)
Laura Karson (D)
Alice Kelly (D) **
Meredith Odinak (D)
Frank O'Reilly (R)
Marcy Spolyar (D) **
Roger Autuori (R)
Len Capozziello Benton (R)
Jennifer Cusato (R)
Josh Garskof (D) **
Julie Gottlieb (D)
Andrew Semmel (R)
Joe Siebert (D) **
Jay Wolk (D) **
Matthew C. Ambrose (D) **
Hannah Gale (D) **
Lisa Havey (D) **
Ken Langille (R)
Jason Li (R)
Tameisha Powell-Dunmore (D)
Karen Vida (R)
Lauren Bové (D) **
Helene Daly (R)
Dana Kery (R)
Tom McCarthy (R)
Mark A. McDermott (D) **
Michael Mears (R)
Jill Vergara (D) **
Karen P. Wackerman (D) **
Kerry Berchem (D) **
William (Liam) Burke (D)
Susan Burstein (D)
Francis "Hank" Ference (R)
Pamela Iacono (R) **
Rip Littig (D)
Christine Messina (R) **
Peter Tallman (R) **
Matthew Tuccillo (Unaffiliated)
Steve Baker (D)
Brian Farnen (R) **
Andrew Gausepohl (D)
Dru Georgiadis (D) **
Rick Grauer (R)
Margaret Horton (D) **
Crissy Kelly (R)
Bill Perugini (R)
Janine Alianiello (R)
Greg Alprin (D)
Elizabeth Altobelli (R)
Kenneth R. Bardelli, Jr. (D)
Kevin Lennon (D)
Frank W. Petise (R) **
Marisa Ringel (R)
Harold Zawadski (D)
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Nine-member board
Terms are staggered
Select any 5 candidates
No more than 3 from same party will be elected
Learn more about the BoE HERE
CANDIDATES RUNNING (choose 5):
- Jessica Gerber (D) **
- Jennifer Maxon-Kennelly (D) **
- Trisha Pytko (R) **
- Bonnie Rotelli (R)
- Suzanne Cox-Testani (R)
- Christine Vitale (D) **
BOARD OF FINANCE
Nine-member board
Terms are staggered
Select 2 candidates
Top 3 vote-getters will be elected
Learn more about the BoF HERE
CANDIDATES RUNNING (choose 2):
- Lori Charlton (D)
- Mary LeClerc (R) **
- Jack Testani (R)
- Elizabeth (Liz) Zezima (D) **
TOWN PLAN & ZONING
Ten-member commission
Terms are staggered
Select 2 (4-year) candidates and 1 (2-year) candidate
Top 3 (4-year) vote-getters will be elected
Learn more about the TPZ HERE
CANDIDATES RUNNING:
- Lenny Braman (D)
- Kathryn L. Braun (R)
- Meg Francis (R) **
- Chris McAleese (D) **
- Donan Meyer (D) **
- Matthew C. Wagner (R) **
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
Five-member board
Terms are 4 years; staggered
Select 1 candidate; top 2 vote-getters will be elected (in other words, both!)
Learn more about the BAA HERE
CANDIDATES RUNNING (choose 1):
- Alexis Harrison (R)
- Peter Ruppert (D)
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Eight-member board; terms are staggered
Select 2 (4-year) candidates and 1 (2-year) candidate
Top 3 (4-year) vote-getters will be elected
Learn more about the ZBA HERE
CANDIDATES RUNNING:
- Brian A. Avallone (D)
- Jane Gitlin Nishball (D)
- Terry Keegan (R) **
- Katie O’Grady (R)
- Kevin Coyne (R) **
- Ruth Smey (D)
CONSTABLE
Fairfield has seven constables
Each constable serves 2 years
Select 4 candidates
Top 7 vote-getters will be elected
Learn more about constables HERE
CANDIDATES RUNNING (choose 4):
- Roger Autuori (R)
- Kevin Flynn (D) **
- Michael Herley (R)
- Charlene Sabia Lebo (D) **
- Joe Peddle (R)
- Bill Perugini (R)
- Ruth Smey (D) **
- Jay Wolk (D) **
TOWN CLERK
A four-year, salaried position
Learn more about the town clerk HERE
CANDIDATE RUNNING (choose 1):
- Betsy Browne (R) **
(there is no opposing candidate)
