Christine Vitale Named Fairfield First Selectwoman

FAIRFIELD, CT ? She no longer has the "acting" title.

On Monday, a slate of Democratic elected officials unanimously appointed Christine Vitale as Fairfield's new First Selectwoman, following the untimely passing of Bill Gerber. She was sworn into office by Town Clerk Betsy Browne following the appointment.

Under Connecticut State Statute Sec. 9-222, Democratic elective town officers convened to vote to fill the post. Those Democratic town officers are:

4 Constables:
Kevin W. Flynn
Charlene Sabia-Lebo
Ruth Smey
Jay Wolk

1 Selectman:
Christine Vitale

1 Registrar of Voters:
Matthew Waggner

2 Town Plan & Zoning Commission Alternates:
Jonathan Delgado
Joseph Siebert

2 Zoning Board of Appeals Alternates:
Harold Zawadski
Elise McKay was not able to attend

Vitale will now serve out the remainder of Gerber's term, which expires in November 2027. Prior to his hospitalization, Gerber, who was elected with Vitale in 2023, designated her as Acting First Selectwoman. That decision was to last until Gerber returned to office, but unfortunately, he passed away on July 15 of complications following surgeries to remove a brain tumor.

Local Republicans have launched a petition drive to force a special election for the First Selectman's office; they must turn in more than 2,000 signatures by Sept. 9 to successfully force the vote. Republican state Sen. Tony Hwang recently announced a bid for the office.

"I am honored and humbled to continue serving our community as First Selectman," Vitale said in a statement following Monday's decision by the elective officials. "There has been a lot of discussion around the need to heal and unite our Town. I can assure you that has been my top priority since assuming this role almost two months ago. I remain focused on providing stability for Fairfield?s residents and town employees, keeping town operations running smoothly, making myself accessible to residents and working collaboratively to address the challenges facing our community. While the past few weeks have been filled with ups and down for Fairfield, through it all we leaned on each other and became stronger. Bill Gerber and I ran on the slogan 'Better Together' and that will continue to guide my approach to public service."

Background on Vitale:

Christine Vitale has been serving as Acting First Selectman since June 28, 2025 when First Selectman Gerber was first hospitalized. First Selectman Gerber designated her to serve as Acting First Selectman, if he was unable to continue to serve. Running as Gerber?s running mate, she was elected to the Board of Selectmen in November 2023.

Prior to serving on the Board of Selectmen, Ms. Vitale served on the Board of Education from 2017-2023, serving as Chair from 2018-2022 and led the Board through the challenges associated with the fill pile scandal and the COVID-19 pandemic. She was instrumental in securing funding for the renovations at Mill Hill Elementary School and HVAC upgrades at Osborn Hill Elementary School, North Stratfield Elementary School, Fairfield Woods Middle School, Tomlinson Middle School and Fairfield Warde High School.

Prior to serving on the Board of Education, Ms. Vitale was an active volunteer in town, chairing multiple Parent Teacher Associations, leading girl scout troops and serving in leadership roles in the Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County. Her professional background is in project management and she has been working part-time while raising her three children Katherine, Julia, and John. Ms. Vitale has a Bachelor of Arts from Binghamton University, majoring in Political Science and English.

Christine and her husband Bill have called Fairfield home for 29 years; their daughters are proud graduates of the Fairfield Public Schools and their son is currently enrolled in the Community Partnership Program.