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There was a recent patch “article” about the upcoming Special Election for Fairfield’s First Selectman and a claim that Tony Hwang is forcing a special election.
A vacancy in Fairfield leadership was created by the untimely passing of Bill Gerber, the First Selectman of Fairfield. Under Connecticut law, such a vacancy triggers a democratic process to select a successor. Allowing that process to proceed is the lawful and appropriate course in a representative democracy even if it required petitions. Petitions are the only voice of the people against party rule and one-party rule.
It is also important to clarify the role of Connecticut’s Republican Town Committees (RTCs). While RTCs exist to endorse candidates, they are not—and should not be—the final arbiters of who serves in public office. Many voters are unfamiliar with how RTCs operate, and the will of a small committee must never supersede the voice of the broader electorate.
Committees advise; voters decide. If a candidate chooses to take their message directly to the people, articulate their positions, and earns support at the ballot box, that outcome should always carry greater weight.
Connecticut has a Media Problem
Unfortunately, this election for Fairfield’s First Selectman has unfolded amid a troubling media environment. In an information age, voters should expect substantive, fact-based coverage of candidates, records, and policy differences. Instead, local media coverage has been sparse or visibly slanted, leaving the public primarily with competing and often biased op-eds from both sides. That does a disservice to voters and undermines informed decision-making.
Looking at the race objectively—and based on the limited debate exposure available through short television segments—it is clear that Tony Hwang is the more qualified candidate to lead Fairfield and bring fiscal discipline to town government.
Importantly, Senator Hwang has not been part of Fairfield’s local budget-making process. His experience has been on the legislative side at the state level, providing an external perspective and the ability to challenge entrenched assumptions. There is also so much he can do in a Democrat Run supermajority in Hartford.
By contrast, Christine Vitale has been around and now serves Fairfield’s governing structure, where there is direct accountability for the town’s current fiscal trajectory, development patterns, and infrastructure strain. That record deserves serious scrutiny.
Where Is the Tax Revenue?
At the same time as this election there are property tax re-evaluations going on for Fairfield Residents while Vitale has been in office.
Vitale believes that residential property grows the tax base. She is mistaken. It has been 10 years since General Electric left Fairfield and housing revenue has not replaced it. The Alto Apartment Building that Vitale references generates roughly $770,000 less per year than the former GE commercial site.
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If voters are satisfied with the status quo—and with Fairfield continuing toward higher density, increased traffic, and growing pressure on municipal services and higher property taxes—then continuity may be acceptable. But if residents are looking for creative, out-of-the-box solutions to improve housing stock without overtaxing resources, while also curbing costs and reducing overall budget pressure, Tony Hwang represents a clear alternative.
Much of the campaign rhetoric through op-eds or other opinion pieces focused on future elections, motives, and speculation is a distraction. It deflects from what truly matters: a direct, fact-based evaluation of the candidates, their records, and their governing philosophies.
Hysteria and polarization—locally and nationally—have distorted public discourse for years, accelerating during crises like COVID and long before.
Fairfield, Connecticut, and the country would benefit from lowering the temperature and returning to sober, principled evaluation of leadership.
That is how democracy is supposed to work. Media is supposed to be objective and provide a forum not just a place for anyone with a laptop and an email address to alarm people with no factual backup about their personal beliefs about a candidate they dislike.
Tony Hwang is not “forcing” a special election, nor is this situation the result of political gamesmanship because Amy LaRoche filed to run for State Senate and “challenge” him this November. This is America and if you want to run and put your name on a ballot and fight for a vote, you should be. There should be no entitlement in America.
Make your voices heard this February 3rd - and here is the information below on how to do it:
Fairfield Special Election on Tuesday, February 3, 2026
To elect a new First Selectperson
Special Election Day Details:
Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Polling Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Polling Locations: Your regular polling place (check your location here: https://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx)
Absentee Ballots:
Absentee Ballot Applications are available now, click here to download an application.
You may also complete an absentee ballot in person on weekdays starting on Monday, January 5, 2026 at the Town Clerk’s Office, 611 Old Post Road, Fairfield, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. For more information, please call the Town Clerk at 203-256-3090.
Early Voting:
Early voting will take place Thursday, January 29th, 2026, through Sunday, February 1st, 2026, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Fairfield University Bookstore Downtown, 1499 Post Road, Fairfield.
Additional parking is available in the rear of the building, please use the Sherman Street entrance.
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