Politics & Government

Democrats Planning to Run John Lundeen for First Selectman [Update]

Selectman David Bayne and P&Z Commissioner Vickie Riccardo are set to run alongside Lundeen, if endorsed on Tuesday.

Update, 10:50 a.m.:

John Davis, chairman of the Darien Democratic Town Committee, confirmed in an interview Tuesday that the DTC's nominating committee has put forward a slate of John Lundeen for first selectman and David Bayne and Vickie Riccardo for selectmen.

The nominations are subject to the approval of the full committee and the endorsement of Darien Democratic Town Caucus.

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Original article: 

The Darien Democratic Town Committee is planning to back John Lundeen for first selectman on Tuesday when it nominates candidates for the November election, according to two people with knowledge of the DTC's proceedings.

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Current Selectman David Bayne and current Planning and Zoning Commissioner Vickie Riccardo are expected to join Lundeen on the party's Board of Selectmen slate, the people said.

Selectman Callie Sullivan will not pursue a third term, according to the same sources.

Lundeen runs Lundeen Cliffside Associates, a learning and development consulting firm, and serves as the president of Friends of Gorham's Pond. He is involved with the Darien Chamber of Commerce, as well.

According to a biography on his company's website, Lundeen worked previously for Aetna Life and Casualty, Merrill Lynch, and National Westminster Bank of the UK.

Before that, he served in the Executive Office of the President at the Office of Budget and Management during the Carter and Reagan administrations, the biography states.

Riccardo was first elected to P&Z in 2009. She previously represented district VI on the Representative Town Meeting for six years and chaired the Charter Revision Commission from 2006 to 2008.

Bayne, a partner at Kavanagh Maloney & Osnato, LLP, was first elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2007. Before that, he represented district III on the RTM.

If nominated, the trio will face a GOP slate of Jayme Stevenson for first selectman and Dave Campbell and Jerry Nielsen for the Board of Selectmen. The three  on Thursday.

DTC chairman John Davis said that the committee has yet to finalize its nominations but will do so immediately before Tuesday's Democratic Town Caucus.

"That's when we'll have an announcement," Davis said.

Lundeen, Bayne, and Sullivan declined to comment on the reports Monday. Riccardo could not immediately be reached for comment.

The caucus is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the auditorium. All registered Darien Democrats are welcome to attend.


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