(In order) Rose Jackson, Josephine Shabbott, Fran Nelson and Bridget Grenier. (Zachary Carter/HQNN).
Voters gathered Tuesday to cast their votes in the Democratic primary election– voicing their opinions on the two mayoral candidates, the most important issues facing the town and the direction they feel Hamden is headed.
The polls opened at 6 a.m. giving residents 14 hours to cast their votes, whether it be for incumbent mayor Lauren Garrett or opponent Walter Morton IV, until closure at 8 p.m.
Bridget Grenier is new to Hamden, having only lived here two months. As she researched the two candidates, she realized her vote was better suited for Garrett.
“I like seeing a woman in office,” Grenier said. “She’s planning to put an animal shelter in town … I’m seeing lost animals everyday, and it’s sad to think about all these animals who are out roaming and not being taken care of.”
Unlike most voters interviewed, Grenier didn’t see much of a difference between the two candidates’ respective agendas. She hasn’t lived in the town long enough to watch them campaign, so she relied on their qualifications to make her decision.
“I noticed they both had experience in education, and since I’m a teacher that was something that was really important to me,” Grenier said. “I thought their policies were really similar, so to me, it came down to their qualifications … I noticed that Walter was in the military, which is personally something I’m not really looking for. I’d like someone who is more a person of the people.”
Rose Jackson voted for Morton, but spoke very highly of both candidates. One thing she made very clear was the need for a new face in office.
“You have got to understand me … I’m a truth teller,” Jackson said. “I think [Morton] will make a very good mayor. He cares about the people, and that is what’s important.”
Similar to Grenier, Jackson is a new resident of Hamden. While her vote swung toward Morton, Jackson did not question Garrett’s abilities despite what she heard around town.
“I’m not saying that Garrett [doesn’t care] because I don’t know her well enough and I can’t judge her character on what other people have said,” Jackson said. “But from what I have heard from other people, they were not happy with her performance as mayor.”
Josephine Shabbott, 69, is a rare case, coming into today without having made a decision of who to vote for. Having lived in Hamden her whole life, she confided she didn’t have much faith in either candidate.
“I feel like we have slim pickings. I’m not thrilled,” Shabbott said. “I’m still unsure what I’m going to do when I go in there.”
Fran Nelson, 66, is a roofer and lifelong resident of Hamden. He was born and raised in this town, but continues to lose confidence in its direction.
“I’ve been here for 66 years… and this town gets worse and worse every year,” Nelson said. “As far as keeping the town clean — it’s a disgrace, the way the town is managed is a disgrace.”
Nelson pointed to high taxes, an unsuccessful search for a police chief and limited accountability of spending in Hamden due to the lack of a financial officer as three of the most important issues facing the town today. He fears for the direction of Hamden and the officials who operate it.
“I’m confident [Hamden] is going downhill,” Nelson said. “They go through people like it’s out of control. We’re paying way too much money for these positions… but as far as any of the people that work in this town, they don’t know their job. They’re not doing their job.”
During the last Democratic mayoral primary in 2021, just over 5,000 citizens voted. Fewer are expected Tuesday.