Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett answered her phone as she took a few steps away from a group of roughly 30 campaign officials and supporters gathered in her backyard Tuesday night.
It was just after 9 p.m. on Election Day. On the other end of the line was Crystal Dailey, a Hamden Board of Education member and the woman looking to become the town’s first Republican mayor in 26 years.
Their conversation was brief. Dailey conceded the election and offered a reminder to Garrett, a Democrat, as she enters her second term in office.”
“She said just to keep Hamden in mind as I do my work, which I’m happy to do,” Garrett said.
Democratic Town Committee campaign manager Hailey Collins had announced Garrett’s re-election to the crowd just minutes prior.
“I am completely overjoyed to say that our mayor, Lauren Garrett, is going to serve us, once again, for another term,” Collins said.
That notice was met with raucous applause as Collins — and Garrett — thanked the group for their help throughout the campaign.
“You guys are amazing and I’m so grateful for all of you,” Garrett said. “This election has been hard fought and I’m thankful for the support with donations … with canvassing, with the good thoughts and energy, with debate prep. We have an awesome team and I’m so happy to continue this team for the next two years.”
After a contentious lead-up to the election — rife with anger and insults cast toward both candidates — Garrett said she wants Hamden residents to feel like her government is working for them, regardless of partisanship.
“In a municipality, we’re all neighbors, right?” Garrett said. “I think that it’s really important that we make sure that the people of Hamden have a good experience living in Hamden, that they feel like the Hamden government is responsive to them and that they feel like a part of the community.”