by Jason Edwards and Jasmine Wright
ANSONIA – Democrat Frank Tyszka defeated six-term incumbent Republican Mayor David Cassetti, part of a broader sweep that has returned Democrats to power in the Copper City for the first time since 2013.
The vote was 2,637 to 1,858, according to unofficial numbers from the Registrar’s office.
Ansonia Democrats also won all 14 seats on the Board of Aldermen – a stunning turnaround from 2023, when the Democrats lost every contested seat.
Tyszka, a retired Sikorsky engineer and former Alderman, ran on a platform of fiscal transparency, city hall reform, and renewed civic trust. He declared victory to a crowd of about 75 supporters at his campaign headquarters at 140 Main Street shortly before 9 p.m.
“I had a speech prepared for this. But I was told, don’t read it. So I’m not going to. The first words out of my mouth are going to be — wow, we kicked his butt!”
The unofficial results are at the bottom of this story. Scroll down to read them.
Tyszka pledged to restore in-person public meetings, empower the Board of Aldermen, and pursue smart development.
“Transparency, honesty, and integrity — that’s what we’re gonna have,” he said. “And we’re gonna treat everybody with respect, and I mean everybody.”
Tyszka’s victory speech is embedded below. The story continues after the video.
Democratic Town Committee Chairman Dave Hannon described the results as a referendum on Team Cassetti’s long tenure.
“We had the feeling all along this was gonna be a change election — and that’s absolutely what the voters decided tonight. They wanted a complete change in city leadership.” Hannon said. “The shine came off, and the chickens have come home to roost.”
At Team Cassetti’s headquarters on 210 Main St, the mood over a crowd of about 45 supporters started to sour shortly after 8 p.m.
At 8:30 p.m., a Cassetti supporter swapped out a victory speech prepared for the mayor. Cassetti conceded at 8:55 p.m.
“Elections are about the will of the people, and I respect that will completely,” Cassetti said.
David Cassetti stands with supporter Ed Musante and his brother, Gary Cassetti, after learning the results of the race. Credit: Jasmine Wright
He reflected on accomplishments from his twelve years in office, including the addition of new restaurants, businesses, and apartments downtown, the conversion of a building into a new police station and senior center, and work done to bring down blighted downtown industrial properties.
“I leave office with no regrets, only gratitude,” Cassetti said. “Gratitude for the chance to serve, to make a difference, and to work alongside so many good people who care about Ansonia as deeply as I do.”
Cassetti told The Valley Indy he plans to return to his construction company following his defeat. He didn’t rule out a future in Ansonia politics, but he said he has plans to focus on business for now.
He said he saw his defeat coming after seeing a list of names of who cast early ballots in Ansonia.
“I know just about everybody in Ansonia, and I saw the names, and I knew who they voted for. I knew right then and there who they voted for,” Cassetti said. “I said, ‘You know what? This is done.’”