The Republicans seem intent on testing the voters of Norwalk to see if Dick Moccia will have coat tails. Joanne Romano, who was the only Republican to win an at large seat in the 2005 election, has decided to run for the town clerk’s position instead of running for the Common Council. It’s an interesting move considering the vote tallies. The average Republican vote was around 6700 in 2005. Moccia and Romano came in at 8259 and 6983 respectively. Ellen Wink who ran for the Town Clerk’s seat in 2005 won 6550 votes, below the Republican baseline, and far below the winner Andy Garfunkel who came in at 8584. For perspective Alex Knopp won only 8083 votes. In a popularity contest, Garfunkel would have won the mayors seat if the highest vote total was used to determine the slot, and wouldn’t that be an interesting way to run elections?
The Hour reports:
In an interview Monday, Romano said she has been asked by “quite a few” in Norwalk to challenge Garfunkel.
“I do have a business background — mostly in marketing and customer service — and I’ve been doing it for 30 years,” she said. “I know a lot of people in town. They know my work ethic. If they call me about something, I answer their phone calls. I answer their e-mails. And that’s the kind of business (in the Town Clerk’s office), because you’re dealing with the public.”
Republican leaders in Norwalk also cited Romano’s professional and political experience. She had worked in marketing at Levco Tech, a residential electric service provider, but was laid off earlier this year.
“Based on her business background, I do think that she would be an excellent town clerk,” said Jeffrey Konspore, chairman of the RTC.
I’m not sure whether this was a move initiated by Romano, or a political strategy designed by Republicans who have been licking their chops, sitting on the sidelines of turmoil being wrought over at team Donkey. From a political strategy standpoint, its a risky move. Romano clearly demonstrated she could break the average Republican vote as an at large council member. From a numbers perspective this means she pulled more Democratic and Unaffiliated voters than her Republican cohorts. As did Moccia. But Garfunkel, by clocking the most votes received in the 2005 election demonstrated he could pull from the Republican side, since Wink’s total was less than the Republican average.
The Democrats have the registration advantage over the Republicans, so you would think that any Democratic candidate that can keep the base, has a good shot at winning any election. But the recent infighting paints a different picture. There are likely many Democrats who will not vote for Democrats, opening the door to Republican victories. Looking at last year, Diane Farrell barely won more votes that Chris Shays in Norwalk (10905 to 10096). Other Republican statewide candidates hovered around 8000 votes, as a baseline comparison. Ned Lamont, despite having a head quarters here, and strong support by Norwalk Democratic leaders only pulled in 9539 votes compared to Lieberman’s 10222 (Schlesinger pulled in 2079.)
I don’t see Romano chipping away too many Democratic or Unaffiliated voters from Garfunkel. It is likely though that this year turnout will be lower, so that the number needed is not that great. I haven’t done the analysis yet on what the projected turnout will be to run my models against them yet. The Republicans have to be counting on both a low turnout and the continued fracturing of the more moderate centrist base from the more partisan liberal side.
source: The Hour, Councilwoman to vie for city Town Clerk seat, By PATRICK R. LINSEY, July 10, 2007
