Enfield's Council Chooses New Leaders In Separate, Bipartisan Votes

ENFIELD, CT — Fresh off a major Democratic election night victory earlier this month, the now- Democratically controlled Enfield Town Council has new leadership.

Last week, the council — in its first meeting after the Nov. 4 elections — unanimously elected Democrat Gina Cekala to be Enfield's new mayor and fellow Democrat John Santanella to be the deputy mayor.

The votes came at a special organizational meeting of the council on Nov. 10 and came after Democrats wrested control of Enfield's top governing body from the GOP.

As part of the night's events, the full council was sworn into office to take over control of Enfield's government.

Cekala was nominated by fellow councilperson Maya Matthews and voted in unanimously, 11-0.

"Now I've known Gina for over 10 years, and I can tell you this. She is tough. She is passionate. She does not back down when it comes to doing what's right," said Matthews, also a Democrat. "And let's be honest. That is exactly what Enfield needs right now."

Citing the national political scene along with local affairs, Matthews said Cekala is the right choice.

"People are tired of drama and division. They want leadership that listens and that gets work done, and that's Gina," she said.

An at-large member of the council, Cekala is a veteran attorney and the mother of two teenagers, one son and one daughter.

A visibly moved Cekala then took over the meeting.

"I didn't think I was going to get emotional," she said, choking back tears after a long round of applause following the vote.

Cekala thanked her children — son, Andrew, 19, and daughter, Paige, 17, for helping her lead Enfield.

"So, when I got into politics 12 or so years ago, I had no idea that I'd be sitting here today," she said. "They have been put through a lot, and they have put up with a lot, and they've been understanding and patient and supportive, and I thank them and I love you."

She replaces former Republican Mayor Ken Nelson Jr., who was ousted from the council amid the Democratic wave that turned a 6-5 GOP majority into an 8-3 Democratic advantage.

In Enfield, the "mayor" serves as chairperson of the council and is seen as the town's top elected official, though the title — per charter — is decided by the council.

She said her "intentions" for the next two years are clear.

"I will be me, but I will strive to be the best version of me for the Town of Enfield," Cekala said. "I will be fair, but I will be firm. I will strive to be collaborative and considerate. And I will be efficient and effective. I am not perfect. I will make mistakes, but I will own them and I will learn from them."

She said she will strive to support Enfield's education, infrastructure, and seniors, among other aspects of the town.

"I hope we can all set an intention for this term that we will not let politics get in the way of progress," Cekela said.

After Cekela was elected mayor, Santanella was elected as the town's second-ranked elected official, the deputy mayor. Like Cekala's election, the vote was 11-0 for Santanella.

Santanella, who also serves Enfield in the state legislature, thanked those who elected him and who supported him.

"Your love and patience and support mean everything to me," Santanella said.

A regular issue on Santanella's campaign trail was whether he should be both a councilman and a state representative. He addressed that in his acceptance speech.

"First, there are those who believe that no one person should hold more than one job, that I should pick a lane," Santanella said.

"Well, I have picked a lane, and that lane is Enfield, and my job is Enfield. And if doing that means wearing multiple hats for a period of time, I will do so gladly."

For the minutes of the Nov. 10 Enfield Town Council meeting, click on this link.

From Nov. 5: 'Enfield Election Results 2025: Vote Totals For Every Race'