First Selectman Blanchette Wins by 28 Votes in Ellington

First Selectman Maurice Blanchette will remain as Ellington's top elected official after winning an incredibly close race Tuesday evening.

Blanchette, the two-term Republican incumbent, beat Democratic challenger Ted Graziani by just 28 votes in the 2013 municipal election, according to the official results provided to Patch by Republican Registrar Wanda DeLand.

The final tally was 1,215 for Blanchette against 1,187 for Graziani. Since Blanchette beat Graziani by just over 1 percent it appears there will not be an automatic recount (the difference had to be less than 20 votes or less than .5 percent, according to state law). 

Reached by phone, Blanchette said that, for him, it's back to work tomorrow. He said he's ready to get back to being at the helm of the town for the next two years.

"For me personally it will be a continuing of business," Blanchette said. "We've got a senior center that should be completed by Dec. 31. We also have a large public school project that should be going out to bid very soon."

Blanchette will be officially sworn into a third term on Dec. 1.

Graziani, who currently serves on the Board of Selectman, told Patch a phone interview that he would not seek a recount on the final results.

"The people spoken and I’m not one of the individuals who looks in the rear view mirror," Graziani said. "There's nothing to be ashamed of. It was a clean campaign. A factual campaign, and I move on in life."

Graziani said he plans on returning to his job at United Technology Aerospace Systems in Windsor Locks. Because he ran just for the first selectman position, he said he will not return to serve on the Board of Selectmen.

Graziani previously represented Ellington and East Windsor for several years before losing his seat in 2012 to Republican Christopher Davis.