Stratford Election Results 2025: Chess Beats Hoydick In Big Night For Democrats

STRATFORD, CT — Democratic challenger David Chess defeated incumbent Republican Mayor Laura Hoydick in Tuesday’s municipal election that also saw Democrats pick up seats on the Town Council.

Hoydick, who cruised to victory in the 2021 election, was seeking a third term.

Chess had received the endorsement of both the Stratford Police Union Local 407 and the Stratford Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 998, which union officials said marked the first time in 15 years that both public safety unions backed a candidate together.

Chess received 7,879 votes, while Hoydick had 6,450, according to unofficial results from the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s Office.

"We did it, Stratford," Chess wrote in a post on Facebook. "Tonight, we made history. Thank you for believing in the power of community, compassion, and progress. This campaign was never about one person, it was about all of us, standing together for a better future.

"To every volunteer who knocked doors, made calls, donated, and never gave up: this victory belongs to you.

"Tomorrow, we get to work - because the best days for Stratford are still ahead.

"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

Democrats will also hold a 7-3 majority on the Town Council after picking up two seats in Tuesday’s election.

Democrat Jean Collier defeated Republican incumbent Bryan O’Connor in the First District, and Democrat Christopher Green won re-election in the Second District over Republican Bonnie Lambert.

Democrats William Boyd and Rene Gibson ran unopposed in the Third and Fourth Districts, respectively.

Incumbent Democrat Anthony Afriyie defeated Rafael Irizarry in the Fifth District.

Democrat Philip Young won the rematch race for the Sixth District, defeating incumbent Republican Kerry Whitham. Young lost to Whitham by 11 votes in the 2023 election.

Democrat Lisa Carroll Fabian defeated Republican Patty Gallagher in the Seventh District.

Republican Carl Glad won re-election in the Eighth District, defeating Democratic challenger Carolann Reid.

Republican George J. Zamary III defeated Democrat Jackie Seawright in the Ninth District.

Incumbent Republican Paul Aurelia won re-election in the Tenth District over Democrat Karen Tracy.

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Here are the candidates:

Mayor

Incumbent Republican Mayor Laura Hoydick is seeking a third term and is being challenged by Democrat David Chess.

Town Council

The Town Council district races are as follows: 1st District) Jean T. Collier, Democrat, and Thomas “Bryan” O’Connor, Republican; 2nd District) Christopher Green, Democrat, and Bonnie Lambert, Republican; 3rd District) William M. Boyd, Democrat; 4th District) Rene M. Gibson, Democrat; 5th District) Anthony Afriyie, Democrat, and Rafael Irizarry, Republican; 6th District) Philip L. Young, IV, Democrat, and Kerry L. Whitham, Republican; 7th District) Lisa Carroll Fabian, Democrat, and Patty Gallagher, Republican; 8th District) Carolann Reid, Democrat, and Carl A. Glad, Republican; 9th District) Jackie Seawright, Democrat, and George J. Zamary, III, Republican; 10th District) Karen Tracy, Democrat, and Paul T. Aurelia, Republican.

Other races

For the Board of Education, residents will vote for up to four candidates. The Democratic candidates are: Yvonne Temple, Kenneth L. Pugh, Sr., Mike Fiorello, and Kristen Zapata. The Republican candidates are: Prez Palmer, Edward "Ed" Kingston, Laura Dancho, and James J. Connor.

For the Planning Commission, in the 5th and 6th Districts, Jennifer Budai is the Democratic candidate and Earl Samerotti is the Republican. In the 7th and 8th Districts, Andrea Corcoran is the Democratic candidate and Debra Lamberti is the Republican. In the 9th and 10th Districts, Kathleen Callahan is the Democratic candidate and John Zbell is the Republican. To fill a vacancy for two years in the 3rd and 4th Districts, Claire Barber is the Democratic candidate and Ed Scinto is the Republican.

For the Zoning Commission, the candidates in the 5th and 6th Districts are Democrat Misty Percifield and Republican Alec Voccola. In the 7th and 8th Districts, Steve Taccogna is the Democratic candidate and Sarah Graham is the Republican. In the 9th and 10th Districts, Peter Carroll is the Democratic candidate and Michael F. Henrick is the Republican.

For Zoning Board of Appeals, in the 1st and 2nd Districts, Paula Sweeley is the Democratic candidate and Christopher Pia is the Republican. In the 3rd and 4th Districts, Andrea Lynch is the Democratic candidate and Casimir Mizera is the Republican. In the 5th and 6th Districts, Matthew Schlager is the Democratic candidate and Khi Samerotti is the Republican.

Residents will also vote for up to four Constables. The candidates are Democrat Laura Markis Johnson, Republicans Carol G. Cabral, Richard "Dick" Brown, Frank A. Bevacqua, Edward J. Scinto, and Independent Party candidates Judith L. Cleri and Richard T. Marcone.