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Harry Rilling Wins Norwalk's Democratic Primary For Mayor

NORWALK, Conn. – Harry Rilling is Norwalk’s Democratic nominee for mayor for the 2013 election.

Democratic nominee Harry Rilling speaks to supporters in Norwalk after Tuesday's mayoral primary.

Democratic nominee Harry Rilling speaks to supporters in Norwalk after Tuesday's mayoral primary.

Photo Credit: Greg Canuel

The former Norwalk Police chief beat out Vinny Mangiacopra, Matt Miklave and Andy Garfunkel in Tuesday’s Democratic primary in the city. He now will challenge four-term Republican Mayor Richard Moccia in the general election in November.

“Today, the voters have said it’s time for a change,” Rilling said in his victory speech. “It’s time for a new direction. Not only for the Democratic Party, but for the city of Norwalk. They have spoken loud and clear.”

According to early unofficial results, Rilling received more than half of the votes cast in Tuesday’s primary. Mangiacopra finished with enough votes to place second, followed by Miklave and Garfunkel. 

Rilling arrived at his victory party flanked by Gov. Dannel Malloy and state Sen. Bob Duff. Malloy told supporters at the Hilton Garden Inn that he “would love to work with this guy.”

“I know that he understands that there is a relationship between jobs, good policing, and good schools, and he’s prepared to make sure that they are properly funded, that they are properly led, and properly supported,” Malloy said. “He gets the big picture.”

Duff, who officially endorsed Rilling along with Norwalk’s other Democratic representatives in the Connecticut General Assembly last week, told the crowd that there was “reason to celebrate.”

“We are so pleased and so proud to have Harry Rilling as our nominee,” Duff said.

Rilling now looks to end Moccia’s four-term tenure as Norwalk’s mayor. If Rilling wins in the general election on Nov. 5, it would be just the third time a Democrat has won a Norwalk mayoral race since 1987.

“This is not the end. This is only the first hurdle. And we have another hurdle to clear, and that is coming up during the first week in November,” Rilling said. “This is not going to be an easy fight. We’re going to have a struggle, but we are going to forge ahead.”

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