Daponte Gets Stratford Democrats' Nomination for Mayor

The Stratford Democratic Town Committee (DTC) chose Beth Daponte over Joe Paul for its endorsed candidate in this fall’s election against Republican incumbent Mayor John A. Harkins.

“There is one campaign promise that I’ll make to you and to all voters in this town,” Daponte said in her acceptance speech at Baldwin Center Wednesday night. “This is the end of lazy town government. The overall direction the mayor has sent this town on is a lazy course of action.”

“Instead of being a spokesman (for the town), John Harkins hired a spokesman,” she said.

Daponte, a former college professor who recently spent time evaluating efficiency at the U.N., bested Paul, a retired bank exec, by a 38 to 27 vote.

The DTC also endorsed candidates for the 10-member Stratford Town Council.

Current Fourth District Councilman Jason Santi did not get the endorsement; newcomer Andre Ely got the nod.

DTC member Peggy Barnish was in the minority to vote for Santi. She said she was supporting the incumbent even though some fellow Democrats might be "irritated" by some of his votes while on the Stratford Town Council.

More from the caucus to come.