Herbst hurricane

Written by Donald Eng
Tuesday, 03 November 2009 22:51

Republicans have swept to victory in every contested race in town, led by Timothy M. Herbst, who unseated four-term incumbent Democrat Raymond G. Baldwin by a 55.3% to 44.7% margin, 6906 - 5572. In a municipal election, 40% turnout is considered solid. Trumbull voters turned out at a 52% clip.

Unofficial results show the GOP taking the maximum 14 seats on the 21 member Town Council. Republican

Suzanne Monaco won the Town Clerk post, defeating Democrat Rose Lodice. John Ponzio won the race for Town Treasurer. School board candidate Ted Lovely and finance board candidate Andrew Palo also won.

Herbst said the win showed that hard work paid off.

“Even if the other side has all the money and sends out all the mailers, getting out and walking your town still resonates with voters,” Herbst said.

Herbst, who received the polling results at home with his family and a few campaign workers, said he had pegged the fifth district as the one to watch.

“That’s the most heavily Democratic district in town, and I thought if I could stay close, I was in good shape,” Herbst said. “Then the call came in that I won the district by 200 votes and I thought to myself, ‘That’s it. It’s over.’”

In Democratic headquarters, what had begun as a pensive, nervous room turned solemn, then glum as the returns came in.

“I don’t think there was any one thing to point to that led to tonight,” Baldwin said after making a brief concession call to Herbst. “Tonight was a tsunami. I’ve been on both sides of these results.”

With the final results tallied, Baldwin tried to cheer his dejected supporters.

“This isn’t a wake, folks,” he said.

Baldwin said the party would take some time to collect itself and then get to work ensuring the transition of power was a smooth one.

“I wish Tim well, I hope he governs well,” Baldwin said. “We’ve accomplished a lot in eight years. Now we have to do everything we can to make sure the transition is something we can also be proud of.”

Across town, Herbst was similarly gracious as he addressed a jubilant gathering at Marisa’s.

“I would like to thank Ray Baldwin for his years of service to this town and this country,” he said. Herbst also thanked his campaign staff and volunteers and pledged to enjoy the evening and then get right to work.

“Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow, we go to work and we will never forget that we are the employees and the taxpayers are the employers,” he said.