Mansfield Democrats Announce Candidates Up For Election

MANSIFELD, CT — Democrats in Mansfield nominated a full slate of 18 candidates for town-wide elected office Tuesday evening, according to a statement from Mansfield Democrats. The election for town office will be held Tuesday, November 5.

The Mansfield Democratic Town Committee endorsed the slate of candidates in June following eight meetings of its Nominating Committee this spring to interview people interested in running for office.

Mayor Paul Shapiro, Planning & Zoning Commission Chair Joanne Goodwin, Planning & Zoning Commissioner Bonnie Ryan and Board of Assessment Appeals members Carol Thomas and Anne Greineder did not seek re-election.

“I am excited to introduce this energetic and qualified group of candidates to Mansfield and I want to thank those who are stepping aside from elected office for their years of dedication,” said Ben Shaiken, chairman of the Mansfield Democratic Town Committee and a member of the Town Council nominated to run for his third term Tuesday.

The following candidates were nominated:

Town Council:

Terry Berthelot – for re-election

Sam Bruder – new candidate

Peter Kochenburger - for re-election

Deputy Mayor Toni Moran - for re-election

Ron Schurin – new candidate but sitting member (appointed to fill vacancy)

Ben Shaiken - for re-election

Board of Education:

Edith Allison – new candidate, but sitting member (appointed to fill vacancy)

Susannah Everett – for re-election

Region 19 Board of Education:

Debra Hultgren - new candidate, but sitting member (appointed to fill vacancy)

Nancy Silander – for re-election

Planning & Zoning Commission:

Sarah Accorsi - new candidate, but sitting member (appointed to fill vacancy)

Louanne Cooley – new candidate, currently an alternate on PZC

Lisa Pane – new candidate

Planning & Zoning Commission – Alternate:

John DeVivo – new candidate

Zoning Board of Appeals:

Rick Brosseau – for re-election

Don Vigneau – for re-election

Board of Assessment Appeals:

Barbara Vaughan – new candidate

Brian Anderson – new candidate

With only three and a half months until Election Day, Democrats will begin knocking on doors immediately to talk with voters about the important issues facing Mansfield.

Democrats currently hold the largest majorities allowed by law on every elected board in Mansfield, according to the statement. In the 2017 election, the average number of votes cast for Democratic Town Council candidates was 1,794. The average number of votes cast for Republican Town Council candidates was 778. In 2017, two unaffiliated voters ran for election and one, Caitlin Briody, came in seventh place and was seated as a minority member of the Council. There were also two write-in candidates.