WEST HAVEN, Conn. — Mayor Nancy Rossi has won reelection after a recount in West Haven Sunday with 32 votes separating her and Republican challenger Barry Lee Cohen.
The incumbent Democrat declared victory on election night, with a scant 29-vote margin over Cohen. But that margin required an automatic recount, which started at 9 a.m. Sunday. Just before 6 p.m., the results were announced, with Rossi increasing her margin to 32 votes, and confirming reelection for the embattled Democrat.
“I feel pleased and it shows the voters that other than a minimal change the voting was correct, the reporting was correct and I think that that’s very, very important,” Rossi said.
The final tally puts Rossi at 4,275 votes and Cohen at 4,243.
“What I said from the beginning still stands, that we want to make sure every ballot was counted appropriately,” Cohen said.
The election was held in the midst of an unfolding scandal, which has led to the resignation and arrest of members of Rossi's administration. Two arrests have been made related to finances in West Haven. Former State Rep. Michael DiMassa who represented West Haven was arrested last month. He accused of stealing more than $600,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.
City employee John Bernardo was arrested on wire fraud charges last week.
RELATED: West Haven employee arrested on wire fraud charges
On Saturday, Cohen said that Rossi should resign, or pledge not to take office on December 5th -- even if the recount confirms her electoral win, because "Mayor Rossi was aware and complicit" of the crimes of others in City Hall.
Cohen said Sunday he is still asking Rossi to step aside.
“I stand by what I said, regardless of the recount, this mayor should resign,” Cohen said.
Rossi said she will not resign.
“I have no reason to resign. I have not done anything incorrectly or or wrong and as you can see, that has so far played out,” Rossi said.
Cohen’s camp is raising questions about the integrity of the absentee ballots, saying they were not properly packed.
“That envelope was not sealed in accordance with the law,” Vincent Marino, Cohen’s attorney said. “What they used was the standard manila envelope with the metal clasp and there was no tape securing that closed so we don’t know if someone opened up that envelope and put new ballots in or new envelopes in.”
Head Moderator George Chambrelli said there’s no question, the absentee ballots were not tampered with.
Cohen’s campaign is also questioning the recount process.
“They counted ballots, they didn’t review the ballot for the intent of the voter,” Marino said. “They just fed it back through the machine.”
Marino said the team plans to conduct their own inspection of the ballots within 48 hours and will make their decisions from there about possibly pursuing a legal challenge. They have 14 days from the day of the election to do so.
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