Signatures Being Gathered For First Selectman Special Election In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield Republicans' efforts to secure enough signatures to force a special election for First Selectman is well underway, and the party has until Sept. 9 to gather them.

The effort comes on the heels of the untimely passing of Democratic First Selectman Bill Gerber, 60, who died in July from complications following surgeries to remove a brain tumor.

More than 2,000 signatures, or 5 percent of the town's registered voters, are needed to force the special election, which Laura Devlin, Chair of the Fairfield Republican Town Committee, is confident the party will achieve.

"If successful, the election would be scheduled according to a calendar dictated by state statute," Devlin told Patch. "While it is most likely that a special election would be held after the municipal election, it would certainly be ideal to have it take place concurrently with November’s municipal ballot."

Read More:

• Fairfield First Selectman Remembered As Dedicated Public Servant In Celebration Of Life Event
• Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber Dies, Family Says They Are 'Heartbroken'
• Fairfield Mourns Loss Of First Selectman Bill Gerber
• No Movement On Filling Of Late Fairfield First Selectman's Post

Currently, Democrat Christine Vitale is the town's Acting First Selectwoman, a designation she received from Gerber before his hospitalization. Vitale, a former Chair of the Fairfield Board of Education, was elected Selectwoman in November 2023 when Gerber was elected. The two campaigned together.

— Christine Vitale, left, and Bill Gerber on the night they were elected to office in November 2023. Photo credit: Alfred Branch/Patch

Vitale anticipates removing the "acting" designation in the future, and is undeterred by the prospect of a special election.

"We’re following the Charter and the next step is for the designated Democratic electors to vote," Vitale recently told Patch. "They will be meeting on August 25 to fill the vacancy in the First Selectman office. If I am selected on Monday, I will be honored to continue to serve the Town as First Selectman. After that vote occurs, if residents want to support a petition for a special election, I will welcome the opportunity to once again earn their support."

This week, five-term Republican state Sen. Tony Hwang announced his candidacy for the First Selectman's post, the only Republican to announce his intentions.

— State Sen. Tony Hwang (R-28th). Photo credit: Hwang campaign

"I believe deeply in our town’s strength, resilience, and shared future," Hwang said when announcing his candidacy. "For over two decades, I have been honored to serve our community as a PTA representative, a member of the Representative Town Meeting, a State Representative, and now as your State Senator. In each of these roles, I have fought for strong schools, public safety, fiscal responsibility, reliable transportation, environmental protection, and a high quality of life for all residents. My guiding principle has always been simple: people before politics, and results before rhetoric."

Devlin said the RTC is proud to support Hwang.

"He has been a dedicated public servant for more than two decades and has consistently demonstrated his commitment to our community," Devlin, a former state representative, told Patch. "At this time, he is the only Republican seeking the office of First Selectman, and we believe he has the vision, integrity, and leadership to guide Fairfield forward. I anticipate a full endorsement of his candidacy at a Republican caucus later this month."