In a move to youth and diversity, East Hartford went with Democrat Connor Martin, electing him by a 2-to-1 margin as East Hartford’s mayor.

Martin, 32, steps into the office from his role as Mayor Mike Walsh’s executive assistant. He defeated Republican newcomer Salema Davis, garnering 74.26 percent of those who voted for the office.
Voters also approved $6.2M in bonding for fixing several town buildings, including the long-closed and shuttered circa-1935 Veterans Memorial Clubhouse. Additional funds will go toward other building projects which fell off budget due to inflation costs, such as Town Hall which has been closed for almost a year and is now slated to reopen in March, 2024.

Turnout was low despite the fair weather. Of the town’s 29,895 registered voters, just 5,043 cast ballots, or 16.87 percent. Martin was the top vote-getter, followed by Town Council Chairman Richard Kehoe (3,376) who was elected for his 16th two-year Council term making him the longest-serving member in town history.

Also winning re-election to the Town Council were all the current incumbents: Democrats Don Bell (3,102), Sebrina E. Wilson (3,131), Awet Tsegai (2,922), Harry Amadasun, Jr. (3,028) and Angie Parkinson (3,273). Republican incumbents John Morrison (1,487), Travis J. Simpson (1.421) and Tom Rup (1,421) retained the three GOP minority seats and Republicans decided to put up only three candidates for the Council slate this year.

Top Republican vote-getter was newcomer Jaclyn Clarke with 1,788 votes in a bid to fill a temporary two-year term on the Board of Education.

Entering the victory celebration at Carmine’s on Main Street, Martin stated he was “overwhelmed by the turnout on the day which I call the greatest accomplishment of my life.” He thanked his family, friends, some from his days at East Hartford High School, supporters and employees of the town who supported his campaign. “It was a collective effort. This election matters. We are a blue town in a blue state. But that is not what this is about. It is about connecting with the voters.”

Martin invited his supporters to attend the swearing-in ceremony Monday at 9 a.m. in the gymnasium of the East Hartford Community Cultural Center. The newly-elected Town Council will also hold its organizational meeting.

“We have had so much positive publicity, we are proud of what we have accomplished so far. And we are going to continue to push equity, make people feel proud of East Hartford again, feel that sense of pride that they live in East Hartford.”

Supporters crowded around the young mayor-elect, giving him hugs and high-fives. Martin will be East Hartford’s first bi-racial mayor; his parents are Cape Verdean and Polish. At 32, he also is the town’s youngest mayor and the grandson of former Hartford State Rep. Marie Kirkley-Bey.

Chenille Hernandez drove up from Bridgeport to volunteer for Martin’s campaign. She graduated with him in the Goodwin University’s masters program, and noted Martin spoke at their graduation. “In the two years we had classes together, everyone of us knew he should become mayor. He was so proud of the town, always telling everyone about it. I am proud to see him elected mayor at last, and to see him grow,” said Hernandez.

Also winning Tuesday was incumbent town Treasurer John Murphy (3,464 votes) who handily defeated Republican Florence Otem (1,308 votes). Democrats Rebecca Betancourt (3,245), Marlyn Pet (3,164), Joelle Muchinson (3,123) were elected to the Board of Education, with Republican Chris Tierinni (1,609) fourth. A Board of Education vacancy went to Patrick Biggins (3,362) with Jaclyn Clarke (1,788) and Matt Lauf (1,533) finishing second and third.

Selectmen winners elected were Democrat and former party chairman Pasquale J. ‘Bud’ Salemi (3,070), Charles Botts, III (3,007). Republicans Robert Rosa (1,443) and Gerald Poehler (1,237) rounded out the results. Town Constables elected are Democrats Daron Ross (2,926), Sue Tukey (2,914), Joshua Quintana (3,008), Tia L. Woods (3,199), Carl Smith (1,400) and Charles Clarke (1,578).

The $6.2 million bond question was approved 2,709 to 1,223. Just 13 percent of registered voters voiced a position on the question, which would have resulted in it failing until the Town Charter was changed to allow for approval by simple majority rather than having a minimum of 20 percent of voters registered in the previous election cast a vote on the issue.

East Hartford issued 677 absentee ballots before this election with 634 returned to the town clerk’s office by election day. The Secretary of State’s office list Monday reported 587 absentee ballots went to registered Democrats, 27 to registered Republicans, 60 to unaffiliated voters and three to “other”. East Hartford ranked 23rd overall in the total number of absentee ballots issued in the 2023 municipal election. Greenwich led the state with 2,604 absentee ballots issued. By close of polls Tuesday, 624 absentee ballots were counted in East Hartford, with 10 ballots rejected, for a 94 percent return rate.