Random header image... Refresh for more!

Williams Supports Kerrigan for WH Deputy Mayor. Republicans Could Lend Crucial Support.

by Kevin Rennie

Republican Chris Williams, one of three Republicans on the West Hartford town council, will support popular West Hartford Democrat Beth Kerrigan when the council meets tonight to elect a mayor and deputy mayor, Daily Ructions can report. The new council, elected on November 5th, will continue to be comprised of six Democrats and three Republicans.

The council Democrats decided in private–without Kerrigan–to upend the local tradition of electing as deputy mayor the second highest town council and dump Kerrigan. Democrat Shari Cantor placed first and will be re-elected as mayor by the council.

The council Democrats plan to replace Kerrigan with incumbent Democrat Leon Davidoff, who was first elected to the council as a Republican. The Democrats have declined to comment on their plan to demote Kerrigan. If the three council Republicans join Kerrigan Tuesday night, she will need one other Democrat to break ranks and continue a longstanding local political tradition.

Democrats have declined to explain their antipathy for Kerrigan, who was a plaintiff in a landmark Connecticut case that legalized same-sex marriage in the state in 2008.