OLD LYME — Yesterday’s election saw all three Democratic-endorsed candidates seeking Old Lyme seats on the Region 18 Board of Education — Susan P. Fogliano, W. Scott Brown and Alexander Lowry — gain seats on the board.
The two incumbent Republican Region 18 Board members, who were seeking reelection — Steven J. Wilson and Suzanne Thompson — have at this point failed in their respective bids to keep their seats and a third Republican, newcomer Michael Presti, also did not secure a seat.
A recount seems likely, however, between the third and fourth vote-getters — Lowry and Thompson — since they were separated by only five votes.
The unofficial results in descending order by number of votes received are as follows:
Susan P. Fogliano (D): 1864
W. Scott Brown, Ph.D (D). 1772
Alexander Lowry (D) : 1727
Suzanne Thompson (R): 1722
Michael Presti (R): 1614
Steven Wilson (R): 1518
If/when this recount happens, I’ll be curious to see how the RTC and individuals act: will they read the room, and see that the results of this election are a clear repudiation of their words and actions (ie, thinly veiled attempts at censorship, parroting far right talking points, blathering about porn at school board meetings, lying to people on Lyme Street and stealing signs, signed letters that instigate harassment of library staff, etc)?
Or, will they continue with their petulant pouts of indignation, claiming that they are the real victims, and that no one understands what they really mean?
I have no problem with a recount – and it remains an open question: will the RTC try and sway the process through their ongoing behaviors, or will they act like actual adults who want to further the interests of the town?
If the Republicans try and bring up charges of fraud, unreliable absentee ballots, or any other of the nonsense spouted by the far right when they want to disenfranchise voters, that will be a clear sign of where they are at.
I’m old enough to remember all the way back to less than 5 years ago when a sitting US Senator was disenfranchised in Old Lyme, so our record here is not great.
I think this is what you’re referring to regarding election deniers. Another person in town asks candidates for all offices to denounce these election deniers, or maybe just President Trump.
https://gop.com/video/12-minutes-of-democrats-denying-election-results/
My point is that there are plenty of knuckleheads with R and D next to their names. Maybe we stop throwing mud?
He is not President Trump!
Thank you, Old Lyme! We will work hard for both communities to maintain quality schools and hopefully make our citizens proud.
Congratulations Susan and others that were elected. I imagine the BOE work you’ll be doing will require a lot of time and effort. It’s great that the town has people willing to step up and volunteer like you and the other candidates especially considering the viscous attacks some endured.