By Peter Barhydt
Election Day 2025 brought a shift in New Canaan’s political landscape, as voters turned out under sunny late-fall skies to cast their ballots for local offices. Roughly 42% of the town’s 14,766 registered voters—a total of 6,145 residents—participated in this year’s election. That marks a slight decline from the 49% turnout in 2023, but still a strong showing for a local election year.
While many positions—including Selectmen, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Board of Assessment Appeals, and Constable—were uncontested, the Town Council and Board of Education races delivered change and renewed energy to New Canaan’s government.
The most notable outcome came in the Town Council race, where Democrats made significant gains. Hilary Ormond (D) led all vote-getters with 3,284 votes, followed closely by Kim Norton (R) with 3,238, Penny Young (R) with 3,174, Mike Rodgers (D) with 3,143, Heather Russell (D) with 3,126, and Line Lee (D) completing the group of top vote recipients.
With those results, the Town Council’s balance of power shifts from an 8–4 Republican majority to an even 6–6 split, setting the stage for a more bipartisan period of town governance.
“This was a great outcome for New Canaan and for the Democrats,” said Tim Klimpl, Democratic Town Committee Chair. “I’m incredibly proud of our candidates for all the work they did. We have three incumbents returning to office who will continue the great work they’ve done, and our newly elected candidates will join them in working hard for New Canaan.”
Klimpl added that the new Democratic members are “committed to maintaining high standards, respecting taxpayer money, and supporting the institutions that make this town so great—our schools, our library, our parks, and open spaces.” He emphasized that “adding balance to these boards has been a key priority,” and called on members of both parties to “work together as a community to protect the institutions that are the town’s greatest assets—and maintain our low taxes.”
Melany Hearne, Chair of the Republican Town Committee, struck a tone of reflection and optimism following the results.
“While yesterday’s results weren’t what we hoped for, we’re very proud of our Republican candidates and grateful to everyone who stepped up to serve,” Hearne said. “We congratulate all who were elected or re-elected—including our Democratic neighbors—and thank every candidate for their courage and commitment. Today is about coming together and getting to work on our boards and commissions for the betterment of New Canaan.”
Hearne also offered praise for several Republican candidates who came up short in their bids for office: “Arvind Bajaj, Scott Gress, Pavla Levin, and Julie Toal—you ran exceptional campaigns grounded in integrity, substance, and service. By focusing on the important issues and key decisions that will shape New Canaan’s future, you represented our party and our community with distinction.”
Both party chairs underscored a shared message of collaboration and mutual respect, noting that local governance thrives when residents and officials work together for the good of the community.
Re-elected Council member Kim Norton expressed gratitude to voters and her campaign team. “I’d like to thank New Canaanites for having faith in me to represent them for another four years,” she said. “I’d also like to thank my family, especially my husband Bill, for campaigning with me over the last two months, and a huge thanks to my team—‘Team Kim’—for their hard work, fortitude, and guidance. To those who ran for elected office regardless of the outcome, thank you too, because putting your hat in the ring takes courage.”
Norton also commended the town’s election staff. “Our New Canaan Town Election Officials—Joan McLaughlin, Republican Registrar of Voters, and Republican Claudia Weber, Town Clerk—and all the election workers facilitated 14 days of early voting with a smile, and a 14-hour Election Day. Thank you! You exceeded our expectations!”
Longtime Council member Penny Young thanked voters for their continued confidence. “I am incredibly flattered by the trust and confidence the citizens have in my decisions which affect their needs and interests and look forward to continuing that commitment,” she said in a statement. “However, I am crushed and disappointed the fine people with whom I campaigned will not be sharing their extraordinary knowledge of town government boards and committees—truly a great loss to the community.”
The Board of Education race was another closely watched contest, with Democrats narrowing the existing Republican advantage. Erica Schwedel (D) led the field with 3,427 votes, followed by Kate Brambilla (D) with 3,324, Josh Kaye (D) with 3,317, Hugo Alves (R) with 3,296, and Paul Hogan (R) with 3,201.
The board’s composition will now shift from a 6–3 Republican majority to a 5–4 split, reflecting the broader theme of political balance seen across this year’s election results.
Election Day itself offered picture-perfect fall weather, with clear skies and temperatures in the upper 50s—a fitting backdrop for what many described as a positive and collegial election season.
Both parties’ leaders, as well as individual candidates, expressed optimism that the renewed balance of representation would lead to productive collaboration in the coming years.
As Chair Hearne put it, “Today is about coming together.”
And as Chair Klimpl said, “Working together as a community is how we keep New Canaan the great place it is.”
