Manchester Dems Select Slate For Fall Election

MANCHESTER, CT — Manchester Democrats have selected a slate of candidates for this fall’s local election, lead by Mayor Jay Moran – who will be competing in the town’s historic, first-ever direct contest for Mayor – and featuring a newcomer for the Manchester Board of Directors.

The Democratic Town Committee ratified its slate for mayor, Board of Directors, and Board of Education at a meeting this week. Here is the presentation:

Comments from Democratic Town Chairman Michael Pohl

“I am proud the slate endorsed by our Town Committee offers tremendously capable candidates, a positive mix of incumbents and newcomers, and a team that reflects the great diversity of our community, which is one of Manchester’s real strengths,” said Manchester Democratic Committee Chairman Michael Pohl.

“During the past two years, the Democrats have built on our party’s record of
accomplishment. We plan to bring that message to voters with an active
campaign this fall, and we believe voters in our town will be very responsive to it.”

Mayor Moran Comments

Mayor Jay Moran said, “I’m honored to lead our Democratic team into this fall’s
election contest. We have a strong record of accomplishment in strengthening
and improving town services and in making important investments in our
community – all while keeping taxes at a level that make Manchester a
welcoming and inviting community for all.”

Moran said highlights of Democratic accomplishments the past two years
include:

 Rebuilding and modernizing five elementary schools – one of which was the
first net-zero public school in the state

 Improving public safety for everyone in our town, with the merger of the 8 th
Utilities District and South Manchester Fire Department and the formation of a
police oversight board known as the Police Civilian Review and Relations
Board

 Gaining voter approval to build a new, 21 st Century public library on Main St

 Allocating federal Covid relief funds in a manner that benefits all segments of our community – from families, children, senior citizens and veterans, to businesses, homeowners, non-profits and the homeless.”

Direct Election of Mayor

As a result of a change to the town charter approved by Manchester voters last November, voters will have the opportunity, for the first time, to cast a ballot directly for a candidate for Mayor when they go to the polls this coming November. The winning candidate for Mayor will still serve on – and chair – the town Board of Directors, which is Manchester’s equivalent of a town council.

In past elections, the person with the highest number of votes for the nine-seat town Board of Directors, was named chairman of the board and served as Mayor.

Moran has been the top vote getter for Board of Directors in the last four local
elections, leading to his service as Mayor since 2014. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Mayor.

Board of Directors

The incumbent candidates nominated for re-election to the Board of Directors are Sarah L. Jones, who has been serving as Deputy Mayor; Pamela Floyd- Cranford; Dennis Schain, and Jessee Poland.

Also nominated for a seat on the Board of Directors was Gerald Lentini, an attorney who has served on several local boards and commissions. Lentini, who is seeking his first term, is filling a vacancy on the Democrat slate created when incumbent Director Tim Bergin decided not to seek re-election.

Board of Education

The candidates nominated for the Board of Education – all incumbents- are:

 Completion of 2023-2024 term: Heather Doucette
 2024-2027 Term: Heather Doucette and David Eisenthal
 2023-2026 Term: Kwasi Ntem-Mensah and Elizabeth Mix

Other Candidates

The Democrats also nominated candidates for Constable and the Board of
Selectmen.

The candidates for Constable are, Warren Packer, Ed Slegeski, Colin O’Neill, and Michael Barry.

The candidates for Selectman are state Senator M.D. Rahman, and Kevin Zingler.