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NEW CANAAN, Conn. The broad smile on Robert Mallozzi IIIs face said it all.
Through weeks of campaigning and debating and a long day turned night of more campaigning and waiting, Mallozzi earned the big prize: the Republican Partys nomination for first selectman.
Mallozzi, a two-term member of the Board of Selectmen, defeated Board of Finance member Paul Giusti in Tuesdays GOP caucus. Mallozzi received 1,313 votes to Giustis 907. The announcement came nearly 30 minutes after midnight Wednesday and set off happy celebrations from the Mallozzi camp in the Saxe Middle School auditorium.
I felt that the last four years as selectman, I believed I was in front of the town and I was open and honest about the way things were going and thought that I might be able to bring a leadership style for the times were headed into, he said.
Mallozzi and Giusti battled a hard-fought campaign that occasionally became testy, especially after their first party debate in mid-June. But at the end of a long evening, the two shook hands and smiled. Unbelievable, Paul. Unbelievable, Mallozzi told Giusti before speaking with reporters.
Because Republicans are the majority party in New Canaan, its likely that Mallozzi will succeed outgoing First Selectman Jeb Walker when the term expires at the end of the year. The towns Democratic Town Committee has yet to endorse a first selectman candidate.
Giusti said he will support Mallozzi in the general election. I feel like we worked hard and ran a very good issues-oriented campaign. It just wasnt our year, Giusti said.
Mallozzi will be joined on the Republican ticket by Board of Education Chairman Nick Williams, who earned the GOP nod for selectman by defeating John Engel, 1,324-755. I am truly humbled, Williams said, his face showing some exhaustion. This is a terrific town, and I hope I can live up to the job.
More than 2,200 registered Republicans cast ballots during the caucus, including more than 1,300 in two early vote sessions held before Tuesdays gathering.
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