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Hartford Voter Registrars Elected In Primary

By JENNA CARLESSO

August 15, 2012

HARTFORD —— Although she did not receive her party's endorsement, Olga Iris Vazquez, the city's Democratic registrar of voters, was elected to another term in Tuesday's primary.

Vazquez, who was first elected to the position in 2008, defeated challenger Ramon Arroyo, who city Democrats had endorsed at their nominating convention in May. Arroyo is the husband of state Rep. Minnie Gonzalez, D-Hartford.

Vazquez received 2,786 votes, while Arroyo received 2,293 votes, according to unofficial numbers provided Wednesday by the city's registrar of voters office.

Vazquez said Tuesday night that she worked hard campaigning for the seat.

"The voters are making sure the party leaders know that they have a voice," Vazquez said Tuesday. "I promise to provide better service as we continue on."

During her campaign, she said, she spent a lot of time knocking on doors and meeting with voters.

"The one-on-one with voters has been a very personal experience for me," she said. "I have not taken anything for granted. Nothing has come easy."

Vazquez told the Courant in May that she had faced challenges within the party for being a woman in her position. She said it was expected that she would not get the endorsement.

"There's a lot of new players [on the town committee], and they don't fully understand the process," she said in May. "I believe my work speaks for itself."

Arroyo could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Salvatore Bramante, the city's Republican registrar of voters, was also elected Tuesday to another term. He has served in the role since 2008 and was previously the city's deputy Republican registrar of voters.

Bramante, the party-endorsed candidate, defeated opponent Nyesha McCauley. He received 234 votes, while McCauley received 81, according to unofficial numbers.

The registrars of voters' terms are four years.