New London Democrats Choose Candidates

City Democrats chose their candidates for the November elections Tuesday night, and while there are lots of familiar faces running for City Council and Board of Education, there is one familiar face missing as well.

According to a press release, the seven candidates endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee are: incumbents Michael Passero, Rev. Wade Hyslop, and Anthony Nolan. Left off the ticket was incumbent Marie Friess-McSparran.

Other candidates for council are: Efrain Dominguez Jr., Michael Tranchida, Laura Natusch, and Erica Richardson.

Reached by email Tuesday night, Friess-McSparran wrote, "I am in a state of shock, that the Democratic Party that I have put so much time into over all these years, did not endorse me, especially since I am an incumbent city councilor that has worked tirelessly for the people of New London and the city as a whole."

She said she would have more to say Wednesday.

The endorsed candidates for Board of Education are incumbents Margaret Curtin and Elizabeth Garcia-Gonzalez, and Sylvia Potter. New to the ticket are Reona Dyess, Robert Funk, Scott Garbini, and Arcelis Vazquez-Haye.

"It gives me great pleasure in announcing these outstanding leaders that will make up the Democratic team in this upcoming municipal election," stated Chairman Bill Satti in the release.

Included in the release were these biographies:

Michael Passero is a lifetime resident of the City of New London and a graduate of Connecticut College and the UCONN School of Law. He maintains a private law practice and has been a firefighter for the City of New London for the past 29 years. Mr. Passero has been a longtime member of the New London Democratic Town Committee and has served on the City Council since 2009. He is currently presiding as the Council President.

Reverend Wade Hyslop was born and raised in the City of New London and is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. He is a graduate of the Columbia Bible Institute in South Carolina and is a Baptist Minister at Trinity Baptist Church located on Blackhall Street in New London. Rev. Hyslop served on the Board of Education from 1988 – 1991, State Representative for the 39th district from 1991 – 2004, and has been on the City Council since 2007. He was the ceremonial Mayor from 2008 – 2009 and is currently serving as the President Pro Tempore of the City Council.

Anthony Nolan is a resident of New London and is very active with the youth of the City. He serves as a mentor and positive role model through engagement in numerous civic organizations. He is also an active member and volunteer at Shiloh Baptist Church in New London. He graduated from Hartford Seminary in 2008 and is a member of the New London Police Department where he works as a school resource officer. He has served on the City Council since 2011 and is chairman of the Education Committee.

Efrain Dominguez Jr. is a lifetime resident of the City of New London and is a graduate of the New London Public School system. He has a Bachelors of Arts from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Masters of Science from the University of New Haven. Efrain has been in the education field for the past 16 years and currently works as a teacher at the Dual Language and Arts Magnet Middle School. He currently serves as a member of the Democratic Town Committee and a member of the Water and Water Pollution Control Authority. He is also active in his church, the Oasis of Restoration, where he serves as an elder and director of Christian education.

Michael Tranchida is a lifetime resident of the City of New London and worked for the City for 26 years. Most recently, he worked as the City Clerk until his retirement. Michael is an active member of the Elks Lodge and longtime member of the New London Democratic Town Committee.

Laura Natusch is a self-employed artisan and farmers market vendor. She currently serves on the City Personnel Board, was a founding member of OutCT, member of New London Local First, and a member of the New London Democratic Town Committee. Laura graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design and is a former art history teacher at Mitchell College. She has been a resident of New London since 2000.

Erica Richardson was born and raised New London, CT. She graduated from Roger Williams University with a Bachelors of Science in Paralegal Studies. Erica worked for Representative Sam Gejdensen from 1997 – 1998 in District 2 and from 1998 – 2001 in his Washington D.C. office. She is currently a member of the Police Community Relations Committee.