On the ballot in East Haven, incumbent Mayor Joseph Maturo (R) is up against the candidate he defeated two years ago, Salvatore Maltese.
But unlike last time when he ran as an Independent, this go around Maltese is running as a Democrat.
There are signs in support of both men on the ballot on both sides of Laurel Street.
"He’s cocky about things," Theresa Puccino said of Maturo, who is seeking a 9th term as the town’s mayor.
Puccino and her father Salvatore DeMaio plan to vote for Maltese.
"I know him from I when I used to go down to the laundromat that he owns," DeMaio said.
Both DeMaio and his daughter said the town needs a change in leadership.
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"His stuff with being prejudice in this town, I think he’s caused embarrassment for us," Puccino said.
"Straighten out the town," DeMaio added, "I mean the roads are bad, the only place (Maturo) did work was on Main Street."
Down the road, Mathew Sorensen proudly displays a Joe Maturo campaign sign outside his home.
"The taxes are reasonable," he said of the top reason he’s supporting Maturo. "He pretty much cleaned up this place. For one, he’s a veteran. He was a firefighter which I love firefighters."
Rita Musdakos said she’d like the town to invest more in public safety, but she plans to cast the same vote she’s done in past elections.
"It’s very divided this year and I hope he wins,” she said of Maturo. “And if someone’s doing a good job why not keep it going."
NBC Connecticut reached out to both candidates for interviews Friday. Only one said he could make time, so for fairness NBC Connecticut decided to focus this story on what the town’s taxpayers are saying ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
