Melissa Bailey File Photo
Absentee ballots brought a twist of fate for Dixwell’s Cordelia Thorpe, allowing her to hang on to her seat as Ward 22 Democratic Party co-chair.
Thorpe, an independent-minded perennial candidate, ran for reelection Tuesday in one of seven primaries across town.
Thorpe’s fellow co-chair is Gina Phillips. In a ward of perpetual primary challenges, the two fall in different camps. Last election, the two held separate nominating events to pick a candidate for alderman. Phillips nominated Alderman Greg Morehead; Thorpe nominated herself.
On Tuesday, Phillips ran on a ticket with Robin Ing to serve as ward party co-chairs. Thorpe ran by herself.
When the results came in from the machines that evening, Thorpe appeared to have lost control of the ward committee.
Judging by the machines, Phillips (69) and Ing (64) appeared to have defeated Thorpe, who had 53 votes.
However, when absentee ballots (ABs) were added to the tally, Thorpe came out ahead. She got 29 ABs, and her challengers combined had only one.
After the final count, Thorpe (82) and Gina Phillips (70) retained their seats, and Robin Ing (64) failed to earn a spot on the Democratic Town Committee.