[Updated] South Windsor Democrats Choose Slate for November Election

The South Windsor Democratic Town Committee on Thursday evening selected its slate for the November municipal election.

According to sources, the six candidates for Town Council are the following: Keith Yagaloff, Dr. Saud Anwar, Ed Havens, Liz Pendleton, Liz McGuire and Stephen Wagner.

Yagaloff, Anwar and Havens are incumbents, while Wagner currently serves as an alternate on the Planning & Zoning Commission. Pendleton has served on the Town Council previously.

Anwar said in a telephone interview Friday that he is excited for the opportunity to serve again on the Town Council.

"I’m looking forward to reaching out to [South Windsor residents] and listening to what people’s concerns are," Anwar said. "I’ve been available to the community; I have office hours every month for people. I’m responsive and I represent everyone when I’m elected. I listen and make time to every person."

This would be Anwar’s second full term. He was appointed to the council in 2010 and was elected back into office in 2011.

The Republicans currently hold a 6-3 majority on the Town Council.

The Democratic slate for the Board of Education is Carol Driscoll, Diane Behler, Michael Gonzalez, Craig Zimmerman and Joseph Durette.

Driscoll and Behler are running for re-election, while Gonzalez was appointed to the school board in January to fill the vacancy left by Mark Abrahamson.

Zimmerman has served on the school board previously, while Durette is a newcomer. 

According to Democratic Town Committee Chairman Tony Duarte, Durette was born and raised in South Windsor, and is familiar with the issues in town.

"[Durette] has decided to become more active in politics," Duarte said. "It's what I encourage our democrats to do: to be more active."

Sheila Appleton is not seeking re-election on the school board, which the Republicans have a 5-4 majority.

Democratic Town Committee Chairman Tony Duarte said in a telephone interview Friday that he is pleased with the candidates.

"We’re looking forward to the next election," Duarte said. "We’ve got a good, hard working slate of candidates."

The remaining candidates are as follows:

Board of Selectmen

Joseph Kennedy

Jeremiah Pendleton

Town Clerk

Lori Trahan

Town Treasurer

Cody Guarnieri

Planning and Zoning

Frank Bonzani, Jr.

Elizabeth Kuehnel

Constables

Sandra Jeski

James Neary

Joan Walsh

Going forward, the Democrats will host a barbecue on Sunday, Aug. 25, which will include a vintage base ball game. It is open to public, with a $10 donation for the lunch.

The South Windsor Republican Town Committee caucus is scheduled for July 23.