Press Release, Branford Democratic Town Committee

On Nov. 21, the new Democratic majority of Branford's Representative Town Meeting (RTM) was sworn in after a decade of Republican control. Following the ceremony, the Democratic RTM members named Tracy Everson (D-5) as the Majority Leader, the first female Majority leader in recent memory.

Click here for an image of Tracy Everson.

Click here for an image of the Democratic RTM members.

"As one of the first women in this leadership role on the RTM, I am humbled and honored to serve as Democrats take the Majority following 10 years of Republican rule.” Everson added, “The entire team is ready to get to work, providing the checks and balances that taxpayers are looking for in this financially-challenging post-pandemic world. Yes, we are a Democratic majority. Ultimately, regardless of party, we represent you, the people of Branford.”

Everson previously was the RTM Minority Leader. She is serving her third term representing the 5th District and lives in the Branford Point neighborhood on Mill Creek. Baptized in town, Tracy's family has deep roots dating back four generations.

Tracy is a licensed agent at Century 21 AllPoints Realty in Branford. Her award-winning career as a journalist for 23 years focused primarily on covering Yonkers City Hall and politics in Westchester County, New York. She also worked in professional communications roles for the Westchester County District Attorney and a New York State Senator.

The RTM flipped Democratic this year after a decade of Republican control and will have a 17 member majority out of the 30 members. Kevin Coughlin, Branford Democratic Town Committee Chairman, said, “The Democrats put up a slate of dynamic and accomplished residents who are committed to listening to the people, and finding common sense solutions to the challenges Branford faces.”

Maryann Amore will serve as Moderator. Amorewas re-elected to a seat in the 4th District and previously served several terms on the RTM. She will be the third woman to serve in this role.

The current Democratic members of the RTM include:

1st District: Alisa Waterman, Chief Science Officer at Freethink Technologies Inc., a bioscience company based in Branford

1st District: Mark McCall, a technician with PARABIT for the State of CT and all of New England

2nd District: Joshua Brooks, owner of Brooks-Stone, a Stony Creek based masonry company

2nd District: Peter Hentschel, who was the co-founder of one of the state’s largest architectural firms, Tecton Architects in Hartford

3rd District: Adrian Bonenberger, an Airborne-, Ranger-, Reconnaissance-qualified, and valorously decorated two-time combat veteran of Afghanistan and a published author

3rd District: Tom Keefe, an educator who teaches government, politics and genocide studies at Amistad High School in New Haven

4th District: Maryann Amore, a former career development counselor, director of a number of youth and adult workforce development programs, and director of a non-profit affordable housing developer

4th District: Dan Adelman, an attorney who specializes in divorce and personal injury cases

5th District: Tracy Everson, a realtor and former reporter and communications professional

5th District: Abigail Adams, a retired professor and Anthropology Chair at CCSU

5th District: John Hartwell, a retired banker and Yale School of Management graduate

5th District: Alex Larsson, the CT sales manager for an all natural and organic food distributor who also teaches history and political science

6th District: Nancy McCormack, a former State of Connecticut Corrections Dept Supervisor who previously served as the first female Moderator of the RTM in the late 1990’s

7th District: Donna Laich, a former high school teacher, coach, and school psychologist in the Wallingford public school system

7th District: Susan Dahill, a retired advertising professional

All were sworn in to a two year term on November 21, 2023.