New Haven Independent

The races, from the city’s east side to the west, are for a position that doesn’t normally attract much attention: Democratic Party ward co-chair.

But this isn’t a normal political year.

Not only has the presidential election upped the enthusiasm of some Democrats to try running for office. A determination to challenge politics as usual and seek a chance for new blood to participate in the process has led newcomers to mount spirited campaigns against incumbents and City Hall-backed candidates in Westville’s Ward 25 and East Rock’s Ward 10.

Click here and here to read articles about those two races, as well as some passionate reader commentary.

Both two-candidate teams in East Rock have lawn signs out in the neighborhood. The message-sending approaches in Westville’s Ward 25 reflects the race’s old-versus-new dynamic. One team has lawn signs out. (See photo at the top of the story.) Those candidates, including an incumbent, have been active in ward politics for years and argue that the system’s working well. The other team is using a website instead to spread the word. Its candidates, reflecting a growing constituency in the area, are newer arrivals in the neighborhood with young children; they argue that the political process needs to open up and become more transparent.

In Ward 12, dominated by the Bella Vista elderly housing complex, a dispute over cornish hens has led to an unexpected bid by longtime ward leader Rose Sorrentino (pictured) to hold onto her post at 86 years old. Click here to read about that contest.

Seven wards in all are holding Democratic primaries Tuesday for Democratic ward co-chair. The others are Ward 12, in the Heights; Ward 14, in Fair Haven; Dixwell’s Ward 22; and Ward 30 in West Rock/ West Hills.

Click here for the full list of candidates.

Click here for a list of city polling places. (Scroll to “2008 Polling Places.) For info about voting, call the Registrar of Voters Office at 946-8035. Polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Ward co-chairs get to pick who does, and doesn’t, sit on the party’s ward committees, which in turn nominate candidates and help them get elected.