Politics & Government

80 Percent of Westport RTM to Run for Re-election

Twenty-nine of 36 members have announced their intentions to campaign to keep their seats this upcoming election season.

Caitlin Mazzola's profile picture
Caitlin Mazzola, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

Twenty-nine of the 36 members of the Representative Town Meeting plan to seek re-election in the fall, according to Town Clerk Patricia Strauss -- that's 80 percent of the current legislative body up for a vote. 

All four incumbents running from Districts 4, 7, and 8. The remaining six districts have openings, but Districts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 each have three incumbents returning, Strauss said. Two incumbents will return to run for District 9.

The current members of the RTM who chose not to run for re-election are: 

  • District 1: Cornelia Olsen, who moved out of  the district; 
  • District 2: Sean Timmins
  • District 3: Melissa Kane, who is running for Selectman;
  • District 5: Richard Lowenstein; 
  • District 6: Chris Urist, who moved out of the district; 
  • District 9: Gilbert Nathan and John McCarthy
Currently, five petitions have been issued to people interested in running as a petitioning candidate, Strauss said. No petitions have been returned yet. 

Petitioners must gather 25 signatures from their district to qualify to be on the Nov. 5 ballot. 

Residents interested in running for the RTM can pick up a petition at the Town Clerk’s office, located in Room 105 in Town Hall. Petitioners must gather 25 signatures and return the petition to the Town Clerk by Tuesday, Sept. 10. 

Representation on the RTM, a non-partisan legislative body, is based on population from nine districts, with four members from each district. Members are elected for two-year terms. 

“I encourage everyone to consider running for the RTM,” RTM Moderator Eileen Flug said. “It’s a group of civic-minded people making important decisions for our town." 

The RTM has the final vote on the town budget and appropriations over $20,000, adopts new ordinances, approves union contracts and hears appeals of certain land use decisions. 

Interested parties who wish to run for a seat on the RTM may contact Strauss, at 203-341-1105 or pstrauss@westportct.gov 

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Westport