After Fighting Santanella In Primary, Tyler Backs Pyznar

ENFIELD, CT — Tom Tyler, who challenged state Rep. John Santanella in a court-ordered Democratic primary last month, is backing Santanella’s Republican opponent in the November election.

Tyler endorsed Marie Pyznar on Thursday, citing the Enfield town councilor’s community involvement, small business experience and family values. Pyznar, a former deputy mayor, is challenging Santanella for the 58th House District seat.

“For me, this race is about Enfield values. It’s about which candidate shares our values, and Marie is that candidate,” Tyler said in an Oct. 22 news release.

The endorsement comes after Santanella defeated Tyler in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary, which followed a legal fight over Tyler’s nominating petitions that reached the Connecticut Supreme Court.

Tyler Backs Pyznar

Tyler said he has known Pyznar for essentially her entire life and pointed to her experience raising a family in North Thompsonville and operating a business in Thompsonville.

“Marie treats everyone with dignity and respect no matter their political beliefs or party affiliation,” he said.

Tyler said Pyznar understands the financial pressures facing families and employers, including paying business expenses and meeting payroll.

“I don’t care what team jersey she wears on her back, I do care about what’s in her heart,” Tyler said.

The release said the endorsement was Tyler’s decision and had not been solicited by Pyznar or anyone acting on behalf of her campaign.

The Primary Fight

As Patch previously reported, unofficial results showed Santanella winning 83 percent of the vote in the September primary, with about 1,000 Enfield Democrats participating.

The election was delayed by a dispute over the paperwork Tyler used to qualify for the ballot. Santanella challenged the petitions, and a Superior Court judge rejected them because some forms were issued too early and lacked a required signature-count section.

The Connecticut Supreme Court reversed that ruling July 30, restoring Tyler’s candidacy and ordering a new primary. The lower court had not found that Tyler’s signatures were fraudulent or that voters had done anything wrong.

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Where The Candidates Stand

Both candidates identified the cost of living as a major concern in their recently published Patch questionnaires, outlining different approaches to easing pressure on household budgets.

In her candidate profile, Pyznar called for a review of state mandates imposed on municipalities, saying requirements without accompanying funding contribute to higher property taxes.

“Affordability is my number one concern,” she wrote.

Pyznar also advocated reducing unnecessary spending and increasing transparency and accountability in electric bills. She cited her Town Council service and willingness to cast a dissenting vote as evidence of her readiness for the legislature.

In his candidate profile, Santanella said more state support for schools and municipal services would help ease the burden on local property taxpayers. He also supported expanding access to affordable child care.

“People are feeling squeezed, and understandably so,” he wrote.

Santanella, who is seeking a second term, cited funding secured for Enfield Square redevelopment, schools and emergency services among his accomplishments. On energy costs, he called for expanding and diversifying supply, investing in renewable energy and strengthening oversight of Eversource.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. According to Tyler’s announcement, early voting runs through Nov. 1 at Enfield Town Hall.

For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.