FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield has a new First Selectman.
Democrat Bill Gerber, who, with his team of volunteers knocked on more than 20,000 doors in town, is Fairfield’s new top elected leader, following a recount of last week’s ballots.
Gerber defeated incumbent Republican Brenda Kupchick, 8,963 to 8,926, a margin of 37 votes. Head Moderator Peter Hood was set to sign off on the numbers Tuesday night, following a nine-hour recount held in the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities. Following the Nov. 7 election, Gerber led by 42 votes.
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“It was a total team effort,” Gerber told Patch Tuesday of his campaign and victory. “It was tough, but it was a lot of fun.”
Running for First Selectman was different than any other election he has run in, said Gerber, who is a 10-year veteran of the Representative Town Meeting.
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“I knocked on a lot of conservatives’ doors, and I think I convinced a lot of those people that I was the right person for the job, because they like to talk numbers and analysis,” Gerber said. “They want to see thorough analysis before decisions are made, and they want to make sure that we’re spending money wisely. Every dollar has to be accounted for.”
Gerber has an MBA in Finance and an MS in Accounting, both from New York University Stern School of Business, and he is a retired C-level C-level financial services professional with 30 years of experience in financial management, according to his campaign profile.
He also said he met a lot Democrats while campaigning, who told him that while he “seemed like a really nice guy,” they were not ready to vote for another Democrat because of the fill pile scandal, much of which came into being during a Democratic administration.
“I understand that, and over the next four years, we need to get the fill pile behind us, and look at our infrastructure needs, the sewer system and the HVAC systems in our schools, which will really require a lot of careful planning,” Gerber said.
In a statement Tuesday night, Kupchick said she had spoken to Gerber to congratulate him on the victory, and also thanked Fairfield residents for their support.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve as Fairfield’s First Selectwoman,” Kupchick said. “I am incredibly grateful to the people of Fairfield for entrusting me with this great responsibility and privilege. It was a very challenging four years but also the most rewarding in all my years of public service. We were able to make great strides to make Fairfield better for everyone.
“I have called Mr. Gerber to congratulate him on becoming Fairfield’s next First Selectman. My hope is that he will put politics aside for the betterment of our Town and work across the aisle to continue the important work ahead. While disappointed in the outcome, I am proud of the positive campaign we ran and am proud of all we accomplished together in the last four years.”
Tuesday’s recount was not without some drama early on, as some loud arguments broke out over where party observers could sit to watch the process, reported News 12 Connecticut.
Cooler heads eventually prevailed, and the recount continued through the day with no more problems.
“The people of fairfield have spoken loud and clear,” said Steve Sheinberg, Chair of the Fairfield Democratic Town Committee, told Patch. “Bill Gerber is now officially the First Selectman-elect. He will unite the town with professional, effective good government, and he will represent all the people of Fairfield.”
State Sen. Tony Hwang congratulated Gerber on the victory, and thanked Kupchick for her four years as First Selectwoman.
“The votes have been verified and meticulously counted, and we must now start the real work of bipartisan collaboration to lead with effective policies that will propel Fairfield/Southport to a brighter future as a town and for all of its residents,” Hwang said.
Gerber will be sworn into office on Nov. 27, and will be joined by newly elected Selectwoman Christine Vitale, a Board of Education member and Gerber’s running mate.
By Town Charter, Kupchick can serve as a Selectwoman by receiving the third-highest vote total behind Vitale (9,277) and Gerber (8,963). If she chooses not to serve in the position, her running mate, Brian Farnen, would become the third Selectman.
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