DERBY, Conn. — Municipal election day is coming up on Nov. 7. Here's a look at the Derby mayoral race:
It's newcomer vs. newcomer vs. newcomer vs. incumbant on the Derby mayoral ballot this year.
Derby's incumbent mayor, Republican Richard Dziekan, was defeated by challenger Gino DiGiovanni Jr. at the primary election last month. Dziekan ran for his fourth term as mayor but did not seek his party’s endorsement, instead collecting enough signatures to trigger this primary.
DiGiovanni Jr., the city's alderman, and the party-endorsed candidate won by less than 20 votes on primary day, which triggered an automatic recount. The results were finalized days later, officially making DiGiovanni Jr. the Republican candidate. Dziekan will now appear on the ballot as an unaffiliated candidate.
A controversy that DiGiovanni Jr. is up against is the federal charges he is facing for entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. DiGiovanni Jr. was arrested on Aug. 15 regarding the Jan. 6 investigation but said there wouldn't be movement in his case until after the November general election.
DiGiovanni Jr. is up against not only Dzieken but also Democrat Joe DiMartino and Sharline McEvoy, a retired law professor who is another unaffiliated candidate.
McEvoy stated her priorities on her campaign's website as lessening impacts on homeowners, devising a cost-effective plan to replace the current senior center, and stopping any developments on Telescope Mountain, among other things. You can read the complete list of McEvoy's goals if elected on her website.
DiGiovanni Jr., speaking with the local Shelton-Derby Patch, stated that one of the most pressing issues to him is financial responsibility and transparency, saying: "As a business owner, I plan to roll up my sleeves and get to work and restore the constituents' faith in the office of the Mayor." He also states that other issues he plans to address are revising the town's charter, restoring bipartisanship, local community involvement, and restoring Derby Pride. You can read the full candidate profile here.
DiMartino was also profiled by the Shelton-Derby Patch, outlining his priorities should he be elected as mayor. DiMartino has served in the past on the Derby Board of Aldermen for 10 years while also working with Derby Public Works for 34 years before retiring. He stated that, if elected, he's passionate about "turning the city around" and can see in which direction Derby is heading, especially when it comes to finances. DiMartino went on to explain that the most pressing issue facing Derby residents is the city finances, saying in part: The first thing I will do is hire a full-time Finance Director and Tax Collector, which Derby has been without for over a year. It is important to conduct a full forensic audit to determine the condition the city’s financial situation is in. You can read the full profile on DiMartino here.
Click here for more information on what you need to know before heading to the polls.
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.