Incumbent Lauren Garrett has won a second term as Hamden mayor defeating Republican Crystal Dailey Tuesday night in the municipal election.
“This election has been hard-fought,” Garrett told a small crowd of supporters Tuesday evening. “I’m so happy to continue this team for the next two years.”
Garrett won 6,503 votes to Dailey’s 5,048 votes both campaigns reported, though the tally has not been certified.
Dailey, who was aiming to be the GOP’s first mayor in Hamden in 26 years, clinched Districts 1, 8 and 9, but could not overcome large Garrett victories in the heavily populated Spring Glen and Whitneyville districts.
“Lauren Garrett has succeeded with her re-election. But, I’m really happy with what we were able to accomplish,” Dailey said.
Dailey called Garrett to concede the race at 9 p.m., just one hour after polls closed. Garrett took the call at her West Woods home where she and supporters gathered for pizza.
Many in Hamden expected Garrett to face steeper competition this fall as citizens expressed continued frustration over a high property tax mill rate and a perception of high crime. However, the vote totals largely mirrored Garrett’s first victory in 2021 when she defeated Republican Ron Gambardella with 6,653 votes to Gambardella’s 5,349.
“I am completely overjoyed to say that our mayor, Lauren Garrett, is going to serve us, once again, for another term,” Hailey Collins, the Democratic Town Committee campaign manager, told Garrett’s supporters Tuesday night.
“You all have made Hamden really proud, and y’all put on a hell of a fight.”