Nancy Rossi, the Democratic mayor of West Haven, was affirmed the winner of last week’s election following a recount, but her Republican opponent is not ready to concede.
“My campaign has concerns about the absentee ballot process,” said Barry Lee Cohen, the GOP nominee. “There have been many irregularities that have been identified and, in light of the ongoing scandals… we are looking at all the options.”
The recount put 4,275 votes in Rossi’s column. Cohen received 4,234 votes, 29 fewer than Rossi.
Nancy DiNardo, chairwoman of the Democratic Party in Connecticut, said she is not surprised that Rossi was reelected. “The numbers were solid on Election Night, and yesterday’s recount confirmed them,’’ DiNardo said.
“What’s troubling is that her opponent would think the response to an election he lost isn’t to graciously concede, but to ask that his opponent resign. There’s a term for that: sore loser,” DiNardo said.
The recount shifted three votes in Rossi’s favor, putting her up by a total of 32 votes, according to the voter registrar’s office.
Ben Proto, chairman of the Connecticut Republican party, said there were “a number of irregularities” involving the absentee ballots.
West Haven has been at the center of a federal inquiry into the use of COVID-19 relief funds. Former State Rep. Michael DiMassa and his business partner, John Bernardo, a West Haven city employee, have both been arrested.
Court documents filed in the case said they created a consulting company in January that has been used since to steal more than $600,000 by billing the city for nonexistent pandemic consulting services. DiMassa is accused of spending tens of thousands of dollars of the money gambling at the Mohegan Sun casino.
Cohen said earlier in the weekend that Rossi should resign if she wins. He contends she bears responsibility for alleged improprieties in how the COVID-19 relief funds…
