HARTFORD - Political newcomer David
Ziemer easily defeated Justin Graef for the third aldermanic
district seat on the Hartford Common Council that will be vacated by
incumbent Chuck Shortt, who chose not to run for re-election.
Ziemer, 47, is an experimental mechanic employed by
Harley-Davidson Corp. He also co-owns Curious Worlds with his wife,
Gwen, in downtown Hartford.
During the campaign, Ziemer ran on a strong pledge that he would
make representing the residents of his district a top priority
rather than voting based on his personal beliefs. Graef, 30, owns
Fox’s Pizza Den on Sumner Street and also was making his first try
for political office.
Ziemer received 190 votes to Graef’s 84.
"I think the people are hungry for representation on the
council," Ziemer said following his victory. "I’d like
to thank my campaign workers and supporters for doing a great
job."
Ziemer, who also spoke at a public hearing against the recent
annexation and rezoning for the new Wal-Mart store in Hartford, said
that one big issue may or may not have been what pushed him over the
top.
"It’s really hard to say if it was just one thing,"
Ziemer said. "But maybe this sends a message that a lot of
people weren’t exactly happy with the way that thing all went
down."
Things didn’t fair as well for another anti-Wal-Mart candidate,
Marilyn Raschka, who jumped into the second aldermanic district race
to challenge incumbent Jim Core as a write-in candidate.
Core received 269 votes to Raschka’s 135.
Raschka said previously that she wanted to challenge Core to send
a message about her feeling that the council didn't listen to
residents’ wishes on the Wal-Mart approval.
Core was one of seven alderpersons who voted to approve the
project’s annexation, rezoning and developer's agreement.