Mary Johnson File Photo
With a few soft-spoken words, the race for first selectman in Branford is off and running, far in advance of the November election.
“I’m a candidate for first selectman,” said Jacey Wyatt, (pictured) as participants introduced themselves Thursday at a Planning and Zoning workshop.
It’s no surprise that Wyatt, a businesswoman and self-proclaimed “super model,” is seeking the town’s top office. She predicted she would run this year when she made her first foray into politics two years ago. She ran for tax collector and for a seat on the Representative Town Meeting in 2011, but didn’t win either position. In the race for tax collector she received 2611 votes with the incumbent, Joanne Cleary, taking 4108.
What is surprising is that Wyatt is not seeking a spot on the Republican ticket, as she previously did. Nor is she planning to run on any traditional ticket.
Following the workshop Thursday, Wyatt told the Eagle she’s in the process of forming a new party. She said the name of the party would be the Independent Branford Voters and that she has submitted the paperwork to the state for both the party and her candidacy.
She has already filed a state notice with the town clerk’s office in Branford stipulating her intentions to form a committee as a candidate for first selectwoman under the Independent Branford Voters designation. She said she plans to make a formal announcement in early March.
“There’s quite a bit of support,” Wyatt told the Eagle. “People have reached out to me.”
When asked why she wants a new party designation, she replied, “It’s an option we need to do. I’ve been a Democrat, I’ve been a Republican and I’ve been an independent ….I’m a Republican by heart, I’ve always been,” Wyatt said. “But it’s time for an independent party in Branford to give people an option.”
Wyatt predicts there will be a “free-for-all” with candidates vying for office this year if current First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos does not seek re-election.
DaRos has not yet declared his intentions, but there are indications he may not run. DaRos, 69, is currently in his sixth term as selectman, having served from 1997 to 2003 and again from 2007 until now. During the 2011 election, the Republican candidate was Joy McConnell. Republican John Opie, who lost three bids for first selectman since he served in that office in 2003, did not run for any seat in 2011. No Republican or Democrat has yet declared for the first selectman’s seat.
Wyatt said she wants people to know that there is an option for people other than the traditional parties. “There is an independent candidate,” Wyatt told the Eagle. “It’s the uniqueness of who I am.”
Wyatt, 42, describes herself as a business woman and also as a super model with 15 years experience. There are numerous photos of her on the Internet in scantily-clad poses. Wyatt has lived in Branford most of her life, and attended the local school district. During the election two years ago, Wyatt spoke candidly with the media about her personal life, stating she began life as John Christian Pascarella, and later became Jacey Wyatt.
Wyatt said she received degrees in interior design, architecture and landscape architecture from New York Institute of Technology in 1995.
Wyatt frequently attends town meetings and recently made a public appearance at the Board of Selectmen meeting when she presented a proposal for her concept of a public golf course at the Tabor site. She opposes building the public works facility and sports fields at Tabor, and said she wanted to present an alternate use for the town-owned property. Click here to read the story.
A NEW PARTY
The process of creating a formal political party in Connecticut can be complex, requiring officers and rules that must be approved by the office of the Secretary of State. However, it is possible and common for candidates to run under a party designation. Directions are listed on the Secretary of State’s Web site.
A potential candidate can request nominating petition forms from the Secretary of State’s office. A candidate may also apply for a “reservation of party designation,” which simply means that the candidate would be listed on the November ballot under a newly designated party name. In order to be listed, the candidate must have a specified number of signatures on the petition and file it by 90 days before the election. The number of signatures required is typically 1 percent of the total number of people who voted for that office in the previous election. In the case of first selectman in Branford, it would require about 70 signatures.
A spokesman for the Secretary of State’s office said if a candidate who runs on a designated party status receives at least 1 percent of the vote, then that designation earns a “minor party” status in future elections. He said applicants could then file a list of rules and officers for the party.
Wyatt said she has already requested the nominating petitions and the reservation for party designation, and will be seeking signatures when she receives the forms from the state. She said she plans to hold regular public meetings during the next few months, and hopes candidates for other town offices will join her in using the new party designation.
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