Stonington Re-Elects First Selectman Haberek

Stonington residents overwhelmingly re-elected ., Tuesday.

More than 4,000 of the town’s registered voters cast ballots, keeping the current board of selectmen consisting of (D), (D) and (R) in office.

Haberek received 3,207 votes while political newcomer and challenger (R) received 806.

“It’s and honor and a privilege to serve as first selectman,” Haberek said. “I love this town.”

Haberek said he wanted to thank the residents for their support and he is already focusing on the next two years.

“The budget’s coming up, there’s a number of infrastructure projects to work on including rebuilding Hewitt Road, the athletic fields and continued economic development of the town,” Haberek said.

And he plans on spending some time Wednesday picking up all those election signs residents have seen around town.

Haberek’s challenger McKrell was a gracious loser, saying he had learned a lot from the campaign. He thanked his family, friends and the town residents for their support.

“It was a good experience going out and meeting the residents,” McKrell said. “I learned more about the town and the issues.”

McKrell had never attended a political meeting or even cast a vote in an election until he ran for first selectman. He went to the in July in large part due to his concern of the now-approved plan to build a in his Pawcatuck neighborhood. He left the meeting his party’s nomination for first selectman.

Board Of Selectmen Race

As the fewest vote getter in the first selectman race McKrell automatically became eligible for the selectmen race where the top two vote getters out of the three serve as second and third selectmen. Incumbents Crouse and McAnanly, however, received 2,499 and 1,413 votes respectively, returning as second and third selectmen for their second terms.

“It’s disappointing that I didn’t come in first, second or third,” McKrell said.

Crouse and McAnanly were eager to get back to the town’s work after what was a long and at times nerve-racking campaign season for the candidates.

“I was nervous,” Crouse said. “I want to say thank to the residents. It was a nice win and Glee was a great opponent.”

McAnanly thanked the voters for their support and said she looked forward to continue to work with Haberek and Crouse on the initiatives that they started together two years ago.

“We have a good working relationship,” McAnanly said. “That’s important for the town.”

Crouse said he hoped the board would focus on working on the athletic fields and continuing to maintain the town’s infrastructure while dealing with a difficult state budget.

Board Of Education Race

The race for Stonington Board of Education came down to just two votes. Democrats and won by a margin of a little more than a hundred votes with Esposito receiving 2,279 votes and Todisco 2,294 votes. Those who cast votes, however, were instructed to vote for three candidates and the final candidate elected to the board was Republican with 2,170 votes, just two more than Republican Stephen Bessette’s 2,168 votes. The small vote margin could trigger a re-count.

Voter Turnout

By the time the polls closed at 8 p.m., 4,110 residents had vast ballots out of the town's 12,128 registered voters for a 34 percent voter turnout.

For a full list of the vote tallies for each candidate see our “