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Cosgrove Leads for Second Term

A victorious re-elected First Selectman James B. Cosgrove once again led Branford Republicans in a winning surge at the polls to claim a second term in office. Cosgrove and an overwhelming GOP majority will continue as Branford's elected leaders at Town Hall, on the Representative Town Meeting and on the Board of Education.

"Two years ago I was thrilled to win, but this has a deeper meaning," Cosgrove told Zip06 shortly after election results were announced at GOP headquarters on Nov. 3. "It's validation for our record, and I appreciate everybody that came out and voted."

Cosgrove thanked his supporters and congratulated those who ran on this year's GOP ticket.

"It's a very good night for the whole team," Cosgrove said. "It shows that the town has trust in our team to lead and they approve of the job that we've done so far, and that's what the elections are for -- to hold candidates accountable."

Cosgrove said his team has proven that collaboration works.

"I think we've accomplished that on many different issues. You see it in the vote; you also see it on many other projects in town -- collaboration. It doesn't matter what party affiliation, it's all about Branford."

Voters returned Cosgrove's running mate Joe Higgins for a second term as Second Selectman. Higgins thanked voters and said he's ready to help the Cosgrove administration continue to "...move the line forward" for progress in town.

Voters boosted first-time candidate Democrat Jack Ahern into the Third Selectman's seat, over First Selectman Democratic candidate Mark Rabinowitz and Independent First Selectman candidate Jacey Wyatt.

Republican Town Committee chairman and re-elected RTM member Ray Ingraham, who served as RTM Majority leader of the RTM during the 2013-15 term, said the election results have a message.

"The biggest message sent is that problems in Branford are solved by coalitions, not by parties, and the party that needs to reach out and make sure that happens wins; and that's what voters said. We worked at making sure everything was fair and making sure everyone knew it was fair," said Ingraham.

Evidence of the coalition includes bi-partisan RTM budget votes during the 2013-15 term, Ingraham noted.

"The first budget, three people voted against and the last budget leading up to this election, 100 percent voted for. So we're doing the right thing," said Ingraham, adding, "That doesn't mean we're leaving people behind. There's good people that ran on both tickets that should be doing some things and should be continuing."

The Republican party swept the election to win First and Second Selectmen, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer and the RTM majority as well as one open Full Year seat on the BOE and two open Two Year BOE seats and one open Board of Assessment Appeals seat.