Santanella, Tyler Set For Enfield Democratic Primary

ENFIELD, CT — Enfield Democrats will choose between incumbent state Rep. John Santanella and challenger Tom Tyler in a Sept. 1 special primary for the 58th House District.

Santanella is the Democratic Party-endorsed candidate, while Tyler gathered enough signatures to force a primary. The Town of Enfield lists both candidates for the Sept. 1 special Democratic primary.

The contest arrives after an unusual court fight that temporarily knocked Tyler off the ballot before the Connecticut Supreme Court reinstated him and ordered a new primary.

As Patch previously reported, a Superior Court judge initially ruled that Tyler’s petition paperwork did not comply with state election law. The Connecticut Supreme Court later reversed that ruling and ordered that another primary be scheduled.

The lower court did not find that Tyler’s signatures were fraudulent. Instead, the dispute centered on petition forms that were issued too early and did not include a required signature count.

That legal fight delayed the race that otherwise would have been decided during Connecticut’s Aug. 11 primary.

Santanella is seeking another term representing the 58th District and has the backing of the Enfield Democratic Town Committee. He currently serves on the General Assembly’s Commerce, Planning and Development, and Public Safety and Security committees.

Tyler, an Enfield attorney and former chairman of the Enfield Democratic Party, is challenging Santanella for the nomination. His campaign says he previously served on the Democratic State Central Committee and has worked in criminal justice, law and local politics.

The Enfield Democratic Town Committee has continued to publicly support Santanella, saying in a recent post that it was “proud to endorse” him for reelection.

Voters do not have to wait until Sept. 1 to cast a ballot.

Early voting will be held Aug. 24 through Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield St. The town lists Town Hall as its early voting location, in the Enfield Room on the basement level.

Absentee ballots are also available to eligible voters through the Town Clerk’s office or the state’s online absentee ballot system.

On Sept. 1, Democratic voters in the 58th District can cast ballots at their regular polling locations. The winner will become the Democratic nominee for the November election.

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