Chester showed up, and I couldn’t be prouder. More than 1,100 voters came out this year, far exceeding our usual six-to-eight hundred. That kind of turnout shows real energy, real trust, and real belief in our community. Every person who voted made a difference, and I want to thank you.

Our First Selectman, Cindy Lignar, earned that trust the right way. Through leadership that’s calm, fair, and competent. After a decisive primary earlier this year, Cindy ran unopposed in the general election. It was a clear reflection of the confidence this town has in her leadership. She’s leading with integrity and heart, and I’m proud to serve alongside her.

This year’s Democratic ticket reflected the best of Chester with experienced leaders, new energy, and neighbors stepping up to serve. We called them our “Ten Fresh Faces.” Four of those ten were unaffiliated, which shows how wide our door is open, and the rest were proud Democrats who’ve been putting in the time, the work, and the heart for years. That combination of dedication and openness is what made this election special.

And we didn’t just run on outreach or turnout, we ran on trust. Chester voters know their local Democrats. They see us at the schools, on the fields, and in the community every day. That’s the foundation that turned engagement into success.

Some of our biggest wins came in the Board of Education races. New voices like Jillian Kish-Zupan and Jihan Shulte will join longtime public servant Maria Scherber here in Chester, while Doug Mahana and John Harris will represent our town at the Region 4 level. Together, they bring a mix of experience, insight, and heart, and that’s exactly what the district needs for the challenges ahead.

I also want to thank many of the Republican candidates who stepped up this year. Chester’s local GOP continues to show a respect and community focus that stands apart from national politics. I stay in regular contact with Meredith Devaney, their town committee chair, and that open communication is a big reason our community continues to thrive. We all live here, raise our kids here, and want to see our town move forward. Even when we disagree on the details, we share the same goal: making Chester better.

This election was proof that when we focus on cooperation, service, and common sense, Chester wins. To every candidate, volunteer, and voter who took part: thank you. You reminded everyone that democracy works best when we all show up.

Erik Anderson
Chair of the Chester Democratic Town Committee