Date Set For First Selectman Special Election In Fairfield
FAIRFIELD, CT — The special election for First Selectman in Fairfield will be held on Feb. 3, 2026, following an unanimous decision last week by the Board of Selectmen.
Incumbent First Selectwoman Christine Vitale, a Democrat, will face off against Republican state Sen. Tony Hwang, after local Republicans launched a successful petition drive to force the special election following the untimely passing of Democratic First Selectman Bill Gerber.
Municipal elections are set for Nov. 4, and Hwang and others had hoped that the special election could be held on that date, but scheduling issues with state regulations required the town to push the vote to Feb. 3. Though the Board of Selectmen vote for the date was unanimous, Vitale abstained because she is running for the office.
Vitale was Gerber's running mate when he won the First Selectman's race in November 2023, and he designated her Acting First Selectwoman just before his hospitalization in late June. He died roughly three weeks later from complications following surgeries to remove a brain tumor.
https://patch.com/connecticut/fairfield/amp/32976009/date-set-for-first-selectman-special-election-in-fairfield