Norwich City Council and Mayoral Election Update

Strategic Insights -

As the July 18 primary election approaches, three candidates are vying for the mayoral seat, while six Democrats and five Republicans will compete for six City Council seats. This update provides an overview of the endorsed candidates for both parties and the possibilities for the upcoming election.

Key Takeaways:

  • Republican Alderwoman Stacy Gould, Democratic Alderman Swaranjit Singh-Khalsa, and Republican Marcia Wilbur will contest for the mayoral seat.
  • The Democratic Town Committee endorsed incumbent Alderman Joseph DeLucia, incumbent Alderwoman Shiela Hayes, former Alderwoman Tracey Burto, Zato Kadambaya, Enoch Petit-Homme, and Jill Zuccardy for the City Council.
  • Notably, eight-term alderman Mark Bettencourt decided not to run for reelection, but will remain active in the city.
  • The Republicans endorsed three-term mayor Peter Nystrom, incumbent Alderman Bill Nash, former Republican Alderwoman Joanne Philbrick, newcomers Larry Rice and John Blackburn for the City Council.
  • Five Democrats and six Republicans were endorsed to run for the nine seats on the Board of Education, including incumbent city treasurer Bob Buckley, who is expected to run unopposed.
  • Republican party leaders stated that their slate of candidates may change if some candidates decide to withdraw.

Statistics:

  • 3 candidates (Stacy Gould, Swaranjit Singh-Khalsa, Marcia Wilbur) are vying for the mayoral seat.
  • 6 Democrats (Joseph DeLucia, Shiela Hayes, Tracey Burto, Zato Kadambaya, Enoch Petit-Homme, Jill Zuccardy) and 5 Republicans (Bill Nash, Joanne Philbrick, Larry Rice, John Blackburn, Bob Buckley) are competing for City Council seats.
  • 9 seats on the Board of Education are vying between 5 Democrats and 6 Republicans (Heather Fowler, Christine Distasio, Dennis Slopak, H. Darrell Callicut, Josh Chapman, Rob Dempsky, John Iovino, Ella Myles, Gregory Perry, Kevin Saythany, Mark Kulos).

Sources:

  • d.drainville@theday.com, 2025 The Day (New London, Conn.), www.theday.com
  • Tribune Content Agency, LLC.