Jay Walshon moved to Westport in 1985. He spent his career in emergency medicine, including chair and director of Milford Hospital for 35 years. His 2 children are Staples High School graduates.
Though Jay has never sought political office, he frequently attends and speaks at public meetings.
He believes that an informed electorate is beneficial to Westport’s future. He is intrigued that there is a third party (Independent) candidate in this year’s election.
Curious as to the impact that candidacy might have, he did some research. Jay writes:
This is the 5th time since 1997 in which a third party candidate is running for first selectman. It might be instructive to review Westport’s political party registrations, along with all the first selectman races since 1997, to see if there are any trends or patterns.
Date on registered voters, from 1997-2021. For the 2017 and ’21 elections only, the numbers in parentheses show the number of eligible voters who actually cast ballots.
Here is a summary of the prior 7 first selectman races:
1997: Diane Farrell (D) defeated Joe Arcudi (R), 61% to 39%.
2001: Diane Farrell (D) defeated John Izzo (R) and John Kluchnick (Ind) 70% to 29% and 1%.
Diane Goss Farrell
2005: Gordon Joseloff (D) defeated John Izzo (R) 59% to 41%.
2009: Gordon Joseloff (D) defeated Gavin Anderson (R) 46% and John Izzo (Ind) 52% to 46% and 2%.
2013: Jim Marpe (R) 55% defeated Helen Garten (D) 55% to 45%.
Jim Marpe (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
2017: Jim Marpe (R) defeated Melissa Kane (D) and John Suggs (Ind) 49.5% to 45% and 5%. TJ Elgin (Ind) got 0.3%.
2021: Jen Tooker (R) defeated Jonathan Steinberg (D) and TJ Elgin (Ind) 50% to 49.2% and 0.8%.
Since 1997, the percentage of Republican registrations has diminished markedly, while the number of Democratic, unaffiliated and other registrations have markedly increased.
Voter turnout also varies.
In 2017 and 2021, Republican and Democrat turnout was around 50%, while unaffiliated and other was around 33%.
In 1997, despite Republicans far outnumbering Democrats, Diane Farrell handily beat Republican incumbent Joe Arcudi.
Joe Arcudi
In 2001 Farrell easily beat Republican John Izzo and independent John Kluchnick. The independent vote was inconsequential.
In 2013 the opposite of 1997 occurred. Republican Jim Marpe defeated Helen Garten.
The most recent 2 elections were interesting – and very close.
In 2017, out of 17,867 potential votes and 8,510 votes cast, Republican Jim Marpe beat Democrat Melissa Kane by 455 votes. The 2 independent candidates got 462 votes.
In 2021, Republican Jen Tooker defeated Democrat Jonathan Steinberg by 69 votes. The third party candidate received 64.
In 2001 and 2009, third party candidates had negligible impacts upon clear-cut elections. However, in the most recent 2 cycles they were impactful, and possibly determinative.
This year, the third party candidate has run a more competitive — and well-funded — race than any previous one.
The impact in 2025 will be known the night of November 4.
Dr. Walshon is right to focus on the impact of a 3rd party candidate, which increases the chances that someone—perhaps the person you like the LEAST—will slip into office with a mere plurality. But even without that calculation, I had already vetted all the candidates and decided to vote for Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich–they are leaders who have a vision for Westport but who also listen. And keep in mind that–due to my leadership role in Save Westport Now, a nonpartisan grassroots organization—I do not base my decisions on party affiliation, but rather, on where a particular candidate stands on the issues. In fact, my refusal to blindly endorse a party’s entire slate of candidates has put me, over the years, at odds with both major parties. In any event, if you’d like to know my reasoning–as well as why the other candidates fall short, you can read it here: https://westportjournal.com/politics/election-25/why-im-voting-for-kevin-christie-and-amy-wistreich/
Hi Val
All my deep information comes from 06880.
Christe seems like the”Waffle House” candidate. He recuses himself with weak reasoning avoids answering direct questions and I wonder if he has the decision making capacity needed for the job. He doesn’t seem strong enough.
You know him better. What am I missing?🙏
Tom:
Not sure what you are referring to but Kevin & Amy have been asked about many issues (see below) and they were definitive on all of them–and truthful–unlike O’Day who outright lied about his RTM record, who has not treated residents fairly & who refuses to distance himself from some of the more unsavory aspects of the Republican agenda [and unlike Rosenwaks who voted the “wrong” way on a host of issues at the RTM, has never once stepped up to the podium to advocate for anything, and who lacks critical experience and knowledge].
Here are some of the issues that Kevin & Amy have been definitive about:
– Saving Saugatuck (in fact, Amy voted “no” on the Hamlet in her role as a P&Z Commissioner)
– Traffic (e.g., they will go to Hartford to negotiate with DOT to find a better solution for the Cribari Bridge)
– Protecting Open Space, Trees, and Natural Resources (e.g., they oppose building a “shed” at Longshore and fought the administration’s plan to cut down the trees at Jesup Green),
– Protecting Homeowners from Flooding (e.g., they are committed to tightening up our drainage regs),
– Insisting on Fiscal Responsibility (e.g., they oppose spending $90M for a new fire/police station on the Connector),
– Dealing with Residents Fairly (e.g., they are already working WITH the gardeners to find a new location for the Gardens), and
– Shifting the Town Away from Fossil Fuels (e.g., they are in favor of revoking the Town’s [hypocritical] exemption from the leaf blower ordinance).
Hope this answers your question.
Val
Wow. Thanks
‘Intrigued’? I’d say, based on his Westport Journal posts, the Doc is absolutely petrified.
Keep up the good work David, you’re in the old guard’s heads.
The takeaway: in every single instance a vote for the third party candidate is a wasted vote. None of the prior third party candidates amounted to anything other than potential spoilers. Same thing this year. If you’re happy with the status quo vote O’Day-Moore. If you want a change from 12 years of Republican inaction/incompetence/insensitivity vote Christie-Wistreich. If you want to just waste it, vote Rosenwaks.
On the other hand, since all three candidates are Democrats, this is basically the Democratic primary that never happened. Unless, of course, you want to default to the unelected Democratic machine. 🤣
On a related note, I assume by your same logic, you’d argue that a vote for Mr Harrington (a write in candidate, no less) is a similarly wasted vote?
Bill – I hope you don’t think a Write-in vote for me is wasted. I have served for 4 years on the Board and I think there is really important work that needs doing. I won’t get everything right and will own it when I have had poor judgement and not hide.
Please consider writing in my name and filling in the bubble on line 5F.
Thank you
Robert – Unlike Evan and a whole lot of other commenters, I do not think any vote is wasted. Alas, while I’d be happy to write in your name, I vote in Fairfield so my vote won’t do you much good here.
I have attended all The Hamlet
P and Z meetings, even the ones till 1 am. I attended MOST of the pre approval meetings of the Long Lots Building committee
. I have attended many BOF, BOE and RTM meeting surrounded these issues and others. I work with one of the fired soccer coaches and admire him greatly. I met with David at his house and look forward to knowing him and his wife as neighbors and friends.
BUT 100% for this election the choice is urgent for Kevin and Amy.
Don has demonstrated to me personally and to others around me as well as other on the building committee and RTM an animosity towards people that don’t agree with them. I can’t really imagine him leading us through these difficult times with transparency and with public participation. read back to Andrea Moore’s quote that we have to get the grown-ups in a room again not sure what that was referring to. Those in this town elected and nominated to office should not feel that they know better than the public. This town is filled with experts and concern, concerns citizens that understand the issues and have done their research. We must act strong individuals than have demonstrated their ability to collaborate firm to their values and understand the complexities of what we’re facing as a town.
We must have Kevin and Amy elected!
And I’ll add one more thing here after reading Some comments on Westport Journal DPIC Have no business having an organization without merchants at the table. And having meetings during the week early in the morning, never in front of the full public is cowardice. I understand as a business owner downtown for many decades, how important Parking has always been, and the experts are the merchants who deal with one on one with the customers every day. I don’t understand how again and organization like DPIC think they know better than the actual merchants. let’s get this one right too with this election.
Westport campaign 2025 Quiz: What is the one word that appears on no lawn signs this season?
The candidates’ political affiliation?
My understanding is that, in all the cases listed in this article where a third-party candidate has run for First Selectman, the candidates were petitioning and, therefore, their names appeared at the very bottom of the ballot – often overlooked by voters. This case is different. David Rosenwaks is formally endorsed by the Connecticut Independent Party and will appear at the top of the ballot, right alongside the Republican and Democratic candidates.
That matters. Voters will see his name presented equally, as one of three qualified choices – not as an afterthought. Combined with his endorsement from the Forward Party, this is the first time Westport has had a truly viable independent candidate with established ballot access and visible institutional support.
More importantly, the political climate has changed. Many Westporters – like voters across the country – are tired of party-driven gridlock and are looking for pragmatic, collaborative leadership. David’s campaign reflects that sentiment. His focus on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement resonates with residents who prioritize local problem-solving over national party politics.
So while history is worth noting, this election represents something new. For the first time, an independent candidate isn’t running against the odds – he’s running with momentum and a growing coalition of voters who believe that independent, nonpartisan leadership is exactly what Westport needs right now.
It’s so tiring to hear the spoiler effect argument. The approval rating of Congress right now is about 20% and yet the re-election rate is somewhere near 95%. Crazy you say? Yes. We want change and yet we are afraid to actually vote for it. We will only get positive change when we act on it. David Rosenwaks is a rare independent leader with the skills to make a difference. Westport has the opportunity this election season to lead and prove that not only do we need 3rd party candidates but that we have the guts to elect them. Vote David Rosenwaks for First Selectman – line 3.
Ms. Carpenter, it’s intentionally duplicitous (and misleading) that you claim “It’s so tiring to hear the spoiler effect argument” when recently you gave testimony in Harford that Ranked Choice Voting is necessary to protect against third-party candidates from becoming “spoilers” (the word you used).
Westport does not use Ranked Choice Voting.
It would also be candid to preface your misleading criticism by informing the 06880 readers that you are “co-state lead for the Forward Party” that you’ve been promoting.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” Santayana
This is what Westport’s electorate needs to understand:
2017 third-party candidate John Suggs acknowledges that his and TJ Elgin’s campaigns “tipped the election to Jim Marpe”. They did this by siphoning off 462 votes in a 455 victory margin, and via their campaign rhetoric.
Consequence: Their spoiler effect ushered in 4 more years of Mr. Marpe and paved the way for the last 4 years of Jen Tooker’s administration (and likely Jen Fava as director of the PRD). The consequences of these spoilers in 2017 is now legion – including the permanent destruction of the Community Gardens & Preserve, the continued debacle of our Parker Harding/DPIC, and the McHamlet at Saugatuck debacle.
But for the third-party candidate spoilers in 2017, the Community Gardens would likely still exist.
Votes have consequences. Third-party spoilers have consequences. Given the closeness of our 2017 & 2021 elections, 2025 could likely be a repeat of 2017 with serious and permanent consequences. When voting residents should take this into consideration.
Using feigning exhaustion as party strategy to obfuscate these realities is a disservice to Westport’s residents, and Westport’s future should not be sacrificed in order to promote your Forward Party’s ambitions.
Two things strike me as interesting.
First that Mr Suggs is bold enough to think he tipped the election to Mr Marpe. For that, he’d have to assume that every person that voted for him or Mr Elgin would have voted for Mr Marpe’s opponent. Just as likely, some may have voted for Marpe because they didn’t like his opponent or would simply not have voted disliking both candidates. It would have only taken 8 people and Marpe still would have won.
Second, given all the rending of clothes and gnashing of teeth, whole lot of (apparent) Democrats seem to have very little faith in their party’s chosen candidate in a competitive field. Maybe they should consider whether Mr Rosenwaks is the better candidate and their vote is the spoiler vote that will prevent him from winning. Personally, I consider all three candidates Democrats and this whole election is basically a Democratic primary.
In this case, Rosenwaks seems far more qualified, has fresh ideas, has energy and is exactly what this town needs. Oday is a lifelong democrat and bureaucrat running as a republican with zero Republican bones in his body. This town NEEDS Rosenwaks!
Well I’d disagree there. O’Day is a republican disguised by his “registered” Democrat position.
He’s no more a Democrat nor has he been ( for years) than the man in the moon.
Make no mistake, Don O’Day is a republican.. and his plans are to carry out Tookers failed agendas.
We need no more Tooker politics in this town.
Hummm… what exactly makes David more qualified? What is his proven track record? Where can we find documentation of his leadership skills?What in his background makes him able to navigate the complexities of the town of Westport as the First Selectman ?
He has energy and transparency. Those are attributes not qualifications for this job. We need concrete evidence that he can manage and navigate this demanding position.
I am concerned that he so easily flipped to become an Independent when he did not secure the Democratic nomination. That is clearly the same situation with O day. Are they loyal to their stated values? Or do they flip when it suits their agenda.
I have yet to see anybody voting for David to explain what makes him a viable candidate for this challenging position. I do see flowery descriptive comments about his personality, which I have no doubt are true. But that doesn’t make one magically have the ability and experience to do what it takes to be an exceptional leader in a complicated role.
I HOPE people take some time to look at the experience and superb background and credentials of Kevin and Amy. They clearly illustrate that they have what it takes intellectually as well as a proven record within their past employment history.
Together they make a formidable team with credentials and background that far exceed the other two candidates. They are the obvious choice and Westport is fortunate to have them.
It is without question that they are the most qualified team to be effective in this important role.
Westport NEEDS Kevin and Amy now for a successful future.
Now is not a time to take chances with our community.
John Kluchnick lives or lived on Bauer Place Ext and I’ve known him for 70 years. He is or was a phenomenal chess player and was a guard on the Staples basketball team! I think he was in the class of 1962. His brother, Peter, was the class of 1966 and went to Vietnam right after high school.
There are times when a third party candidate vote has meaning, though more often not In most cases such a vote has meaning if the candidate has taken positions on difficult issues. That has occurred with Robert Harrington but not, in my opinion, with David Rosenwaks. The endorsement of David by the Forward Party and the Connecticut Independents is notable. However, those endorsements and the endorsement of David by Christine Todd Whitman, a superb person, focuses more on the effort to bring civility to the national stage than a focus on local issues. In Westport, the focus should be on issues. In my judgment, while in the RTM, David has not shown the voters his abilities or interest as to specific issues. Hence, I do not believe David should receive many votes as a third party candidate. Conversely, Robert Harrington is truly well known and has expressed many important views respecting education. As such, Robert deserves our attention as a write in candidate for the BoE. I will be voting for Robert, but not David.
well said Don, that is why Robert is getting one of my precious votes! no one in this town who is an elected official has spoken more clearly in a timely way about important issues than Robert. I’m very happy he decided to get his name on the ballot, remember it’s a write in vote!
Thank you Janine. Votes are truly precious and I know you take yours very seriously!
As a reminder – I am running to be re-elected to the Board of Education but my name will NOT appear on the ballot.
To vote for me please go to the BOE ballot and the Write-in line & fill in the bubble 5F & write in Robert Harrington. Thanks!
Thanks, Don — this means a lot to me. I know we haven’t always agreed on every issue, but I’ve genuinely valued your feedback and have become wiser because of our conversations.
There’s still a lot of unfinished business in town, and I want to be part of the solution. While the Community Gardens are not directly under the Board of Education’s purview, we can play a constructive role and lend our voice to the discussion.
The existing Community Gardens are now gone, but their future needs to be much clearer. Simply noting that they are a “priority” within the Parks & Recreation Master Plan isn’t enough — and the process is taking too long. If the gardens are not returning to Hyde Lane, we need to move forward and establish a new, proud Community Gardens site (not at Baron’s South) in time for the 2026 growing season.
After casting three votes for Democratic candidates, I will use my fourth vote to write in Robert Harrington.
In order to write in a candidate, go down to Row F, go across to Columns 5-8 for Board of Education, and write in Robert Harrington. It helps to look at the sample ballot to get an advanced look on how to write in:
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sots/electionservices/town_ballots/2025/november-2025/ct-municipal-election-251104-sample-ballots/westport_sample-2.pdf?rev=1a5a8f13281c43b0a538b78e4b37a276&hash=949BB5568B5CE73A1A0AEDE89EDE47B7
Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich get my vote hands down. They combine to form an experienced team that Westport needs to thrive in the next several years.
A vote for Rosenwaks is not only wasted, but takes away from this exceptional pair. If you want another Republican just vote directly for Don O’Day not the spoiler David Rosenwaks. Look carefully at David’s record-a nice guy who makes promises with the usual political platitudes, but with very little objective achievements to stand on.
Clearly the only reason David is running as an independent is because he did not get the Democratic nomination, so he pivoted to the Independent Party.
I have not found ANY background or credentials that would make David qualified to be our First Selectmen.
He has not worked since he was 31 except for his music career which included bizarrely inappropriate videos ( view Breaking The Law ).His performance on the RTM has been repeatedly sited as WEAK and ineffective.
People continue to tout David’s “SKILLS” ????? What skills exactly? He is a nice person and a newly self -proclaimed Independent. He has no past experience that would be relevant to running this complex town.
He will however, likely take votes away from the most qualified team ..Kevin and Amy who are far and away more experienced and have the resumes to prove it.
It appears that David is popular, which is great, but he has few qualifications to be The First Selectman of Westport.He has lived here for only 4.5 years and hopefully he will continue to work for the community and gain more experience. He is not ready to be the CEO of the town.
VOTE for the team with the ability and experience to give the people of Westport what they deserve. Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich.
Jay’s analysis of past elections is extremely interesting!
It largely shows that third party candidates have not been “spoilers,” even in close elections.
Westport voters should vote for the individuals that they support, regardless of party affiliation.
If Democratic voters lack confidence in Kevin Christie’s ability to win the general election, maybe they should avoid wasting their vote on Christie as a spoiler and rally around David Rosenwaks in the general election.
I’m surprised Chris.
John Suggs claims that he and TJ Elgin’s 462 votes ” tipped the election to Marpe”. I’d say that qualified as being a “spoiler”.
David Rosenwaks will not win, but he could be a spoiler. He is an inexperienced newcomer to town who avoided taking a single stand on the RTM on any issue (Jesup, Longshore, Long Lots, Gardens, etc) over the course of his entire term. He should withdraw now in order to preserve whatever reputation he has left and avoid going down as the guy who wrecked an election.
Vote Republican if you’re happy with the last four years of Tooker/Moore-style government, and you approve of the fact that O’Day orchestrated a $103M school appropriation without even a modicum of public transparency around the costs or tax consequences.
If you want CHANGE, and a new start with an outstanding qualified team, then get out and vote for Christie / Wistreich. Kevin Christie’s quiet strength, skilled leadership and demonstrated accomplishments in both the public and private sector combined with Amy Wistreich’s P&Z background will make a great team for Westport’s next four years.
VOTE this week, but please don’t waste your ballot on Rosenwaks.
Regardless of party affiliation or lack of, please review each candidate for each position in light of what’s best for Westport. This is a special gem of a town. Let’s make sure we get the leadership the town needs and deserves. Republican, Democrat or Independent. Love this wonderful town.
A vote is an expression of support for those that match individual values. Everyone has a choice and a chance to vote for the person they believe will operate in our best interest.
No vote is wasted. It is our chance to express our individual preference and be involved in democracy.
So, support your beliefs, support your preferred candidate, say what you believe…but, by all means, please don’t try and create fear that my vote will be discounted, or worse yet, that my vote will detract from your preferred outcome.
Above all, please don’t tell me my vote is wasted.
Paul,
I didn’t write this piece to do that. It is just a cautionary rake reminding everyone of the consequences of 2017’s spoilers that ushered in Marpe’s further leadership and paved the way forTooker’s administration and the destruction of our community gardens, the McHamlet debacle. DPIC’s Parker Harding fiasco, etc. There are consequences for vote decisions that should be considered, lest the past will be repeated with oermanent consequences people might not like.
2017 proved that in spades.
Seems unlikely as I noted above.
Votes may not be “wasted”, but if we in Westport and the US have learned anything in the past year, it is that VOTES have consequences and every vote matters.
Please vote, as that is your privilege and right as a citizen.
Vote smart for someone who you believe will do something.
This is not a popularity contest.
Nice guys may not be the wisest choice.
My fingers are crossed for this town and for those of us who are lucky enough to live here.
Thank you, Jay, for that eye-opening research.
Well said Bobbi. I agree completely. Nice is great and there are a plethora of nice people in Westport. We need substance and honor in our leadership. Yes, we are so fortunate to live here. Thank you Jay for bringing this research to light !
I’m newer to Westport and am very surprised at the fact that Republicans have any influence or say in Westport. All I’ve ever met so far are Trump (TDS) haters and Democrats. I don’t think of Trump as a traditional Republican, but nevertheless, I find the discussions in Westport very one-sided compared to where I moved from.
Welcome to Westport!!!
Thank you! Close mindedness is challenging. When someone cannot criticize their own party nor can they compliment anything at all of the opposing side, you lose credibility.
“Closed”