Farmington Dems Unveil 2025 Candidate Slate

Farmington Democratic Town Committee

FARMINGTON, CT — Farmington Democrats last week picked their slate of hopefuls for the 2025 municipal elections on Nov. 4, including for the town's top elected office.

The Farmington Democratic Town Committee July 17, endorsed three-term Democratic Councilman Brian FX Connolly for town council chairman.

Democrats unanimously nominated Connolly for Farmington Town Council chairman at a meeting of party-affiliated residents. The chairman functions as the town’s mayor and head of its legislative body.

Connolly will lead a slate of 22 candidates for local offices, including the board of education and land use boards.

“Farmington is facing new challenges, already feeling the financial impact of changes at the federal level,” Connolly said in a release. “As we prepare for the unexpected, our experienced team—skilled in strategic thinking and problem solving—will lead us forward.

"We are committed to engaging all facets of the Farmington community to safeguard our schools and taxpayers from outside forces that threaten our values and the qualities that make Farmington one of Connecticut’s most desirable places to live. Our ticket will continue to prioritize public safety and support local law enforcement to protect our residents.”

If elected, Connolly would be the first Democrat to hold the seat in 70 years. Incumbent Republican Mayor Joe Capodiferro narrowly defeated the Democratic hopeful in 2023.

“We’re facing federal funding cuts to our schools,” Connolly added. “Not only would cuts to our schools harm our students’ performance, but our schools are the biggest draw for young families to move here and grow our tax base, which keeps taxes lower for everyone else at a time when affordability is a major concern.”

Before the council, Connolly served for 12 years on the town’s economic development committee, including as chair.

As council Chair, Connolly said he wants to further prioritize affordability, identifying spending cuts that won’t impair safety, schools, or services relied on by seniors.

Additionally, Connolly is focused on working with the state to alleviate traffic, especially on routes 4 and 177, by, among other solutions, the construction of more sidewalks that better connect the community and also encourage walking.

A nearly 30-year resident of Farmington, Connolly and his wife, Denise, raised their family in town. Their daughters attended Farmington public schools.

Connolly previously served on the Farmington Library Board of Trustees and as Deputy Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus’ Rev. M. Ernest Wilson Council 20 and on the Parish Council of St. Patrick Church.

Professionally, Connolly works for LiveWell, a leading dementia care organization where he champions outreach, education, engagement, and research.

He previously worked in broadcast and corporate media production and marketing, including for ESPN.

Also endorsed by Democrats were:

• Farmington Town Council: Bill Beckert, Patti Boye-Williams, Dave Wlodkowski, and Bruce Polsky. Council members, including the chair, serve two-year terms.

• Farmington Town Clerk: Mike Tucci. This is a four-year position that oversees town elections and recordkeeping, among other duties.

• Farmington Board of Education: Andrea Sobinski, Matt Hutvagner, and Haley Pellegren. School board members serve staggered, four-year terms.

• Farmington Plan and Zoning Commission: Dave St. Germain, Philip Cordeiro, as well as Taylor Pogson and Josh Davidson for alternates.

• Farmington Zoning Board of Appeals: Jon Schoenhorn and Chris Cloud will seek re-election. and Marianne Dess-Santoro and Haritha Subramanian will seek re-election as alternates.

• Constables: Peter Bagdigian and Swapna Das.

• Farmington Board of Assessment Appeals: Ted Glanzer and Joan Williams.

• Probate Judge: Paul Bedard.

Current judge Evelyn Daly is retiring from Farmington’s probate court when her term expires in April. The Farmington district also includes Burlington and Plainville.

“We had an outpouring of interest within our community of long-time residents looking to step up and serve,” said Matt Hutvagner, also chairman of the Farmington Democratic Town Committee.

“Between motivated candidates, engaged supporters, and unaffiliated residents realigning with the Democratic Party, we’re optimistic that voters will choose the Democratic team to lead Farmington at this critical and uncertain time for our schools, economy, and public safety resources.”