Printer Friendly Version - Branford Backs Cosgrove, GOP in Overwhelming Win

On Election Night, Republican Jamie Cosgrove views results showing he'd just won his fifth consecutive term as Branford's First Selectman, during a viewing party at Lenny's Indian Head Inn on Nov. 2.Pam Johnson/The Sound

In a decisive win, Branford voters backed Jamie Cosgrove for a fifth consecutive term as First Selectman and spread impressive numbers across the Republican ticket on Election Day, including final numbers giving seats for Tax Collector and Town Treasurer back to the GOP with wins over two incumbent Democrats. Cosgrove and his running mate, second selectwomen Angela Higgins, lead a strong showing at the top of the ticket in a virtual sweep that retained the GOP majority on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and strengthened its Board of Education seats.

Speaking to Zip06/The Sound at the GOP viewing party celebration at Lenny's Indian Head Inn on Nov. 2, Cosgrove said, "It's a great feeling. We have a very strong team and I'm very proud of the work that the team put in. I'm very proud of the campaign that we ran. I'm honored, and on behalf of the team, we're honored that the people of Branford have put their trust in us for the next two years. I look forward to serving the Town of Branford and getting some more done."

Shortly after polls closed, preliminary numbers tallied among all districts put Cosgrove well over the top. Final counts later that night showed Cosgrive had earned 4,943 votes to Democratic challenger Tom Brockett's 3,165. Higgins, in her first election since her 2021 appointment to the selectman's seat vacated by her husband, the late Joe Higgins, earned 4,387 votes. Incumbent Democrat Ray Dunbar, with 3,533 votes, was elected as the third selectman.

Cosgrove's Town Hall administrative team swept the election and delivered two upsets. Voters provided the night's the win for the Tax Collector's seat to GOP candidate Robert Imperato with 4,195 votes over incumbent Democrat Robert Gill-Brooks, who received 3,795. The Republicans also took back the Town Treasurer's seat from the Democrats, with voters selecting Republican Deborah Conklin by 4,294 votes to Democratic incumbent Kurt Schawnfelder's 3,662. In addition, incumbent GOP Town Clerk Lisa Arpin was reelected with a win of 4,433 votes to Democratic challenger Eileen Poulton Cimino's total of 3,591. Final results included absentee ballot returns from the 1,049 ballots received for the election. See all results for all Branford races, including RTM, BOE, Board of Assessment Appeals and Constable, here

In his acceptance speech, Cosgrove thanked his family, supporters, team and Branford's voters for backing his administration during what was a sometimes divisive campaign season.

"I take pride in the campaign that we ran," said Cosgrove. "We ran on the record, we ran on a positive campaign for Branford, we ran on a vision. And the people put their trust in us, for the next two years."

Jamie Cosgrove celebrates with supporters upon winning a 5th consecutive term as Branford’s First Selectman in an impressive Election Day win for the GOP party, which gathered at Lenny's Indian Head Inn to view preliminary numbers at the close of polls.Pam Johnson/The Sound

At left, Robert Imperato, the winning Republican candidate for Tax Collector, watches with Cosgrove as returns start to arrive during the viewing party at Lenny's Indian Head Inn Nov. 2. Seated center, front, Republican Angela Higgins looks on ahead of her win for the second selectwoman seat.Pam Johnson/The Sound