Camillo and Republicans win Greenwich

A heavy voter turnout led to a Republican sweep in Greenwich led by Fred Camillo who defeated his Democratic challenger Jill Oberlander by a 56% to 44% margin in the race for first selectman. Turnout in Greenwich increased from 39% in the 2017 municipal elections to 46% in 2019. The higher turnout was particularly notable in districts like Cos Cob, Camillo’s home district. Camillo had strong coattails, resulting in a Republican sweep of the selectman, town clerk, tax collector and Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) races. The outcome is a major improvement for Republicans who had been shocked in 2017 to lose the BET and tax collector offices for the first time in over twenty years. Greenwich voting patterns highlighted some interesting developments. Camillo carried the back country districts comfortably and dominated in the Cos Cob and North Mianus districts. Surprisingly, Camillo managed to win the blue collar Byram area and lost Chickahominy, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, by only a single vote. On the other hand, Democrats scored wins in formerly Republican districts in Riverside, Belle Haven and Old Greenwich. The trends highlight an interesting dynamic: Republicans doing better in middle class, working class areas and Democrats carrying the wealthier, suburban coastal areas. Camillo campaigned on uniting Greenwich and fiscal responsibility while Oberlander had tried to nationalize the election. Republicans would be wise to take note that they need to appeal to working class voters if they want to win elections.