Politics & Government
Incumbent Education Board Member Franca Biales Wins Seat in Recount
Two Middletown Democrats separated by 32 votes on Election Day was finalized at Friday's recanvass when the Spanish teacher and mother of three earned 15 more votes than Steven Kovach.
Franca Biales emerged as the winner of a contested education board seat between her and fellow Democrat Steven Kovach during Friday's recount, with 15 more votes.
Recanvass results showed Biales with 3,563 votes and Kovach with 3,548. On Wednesday, a 32-vote spread between the two triggered the recount of all Middletown education board candidates.
As the final numbers were being inputed into the computer just before noon, Middletown Town Clerk Linda Bettencourt tentatively called Biales the winner.
Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
There were slight differences in candidate tallies: Vincent Loffredo was the highest vote-getter with 3,866, Richard Kagan, 3,394; Sheila Daniels with 3,271, Linda Szynkowicz, 2,555; Bill Wilson, 2,381; and Brian Kaskel 2,267.
Biales earned 3,567 votes on Tuesday, while newcomer Steven Kovach garnered 3,535.
Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Earlier in the morning, education board candidates Republicans Daniels and and Brian Kaskel, Biales and Kovach stopped by proceedings and then headed off to work.
All elected candidates will be sworn in Tuesday at Woodrow Wilson Middle School at 7 p.m. The ceremony is open to the public.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
