By Elizabeth Barhydt
First Selectman Fred Camillo once again led all candidates in Greenwich’s 2025 municipal election, winning 10,302 votes in his fourth consecutive term as the town’s chief executive. The result continues a pattern of steady voter confidence across six years of shifting political landscapes.
Steady Support Through Change
Camillo’s performance over four election cycles has been remarkably stable – 10,045 votes in 20219, 10,794 in 2021, a surge to 11,620 in 2023, and 10,302 this year. Despite a challenging year for Republicans regionally, Greenwich once again proved the outlier. “Even though it was not good here, it still outperformed all the other Republican towns in the region,” Camillo said. “There were lots of regional and national trends at play that contributed to a really horrible Republican performance all around, but Greenwich stood apart.”
Camillo attributed the town’s steadiness to its engaged electorate and strong sense of local priorities. “You get a sense just by being present and active of the political environment you’re in,” he said. “You always work hard and hope for the best, but you can
A Split Ticket – and a Clear Endorsement
Across the ballot, voters showed a willingness to split their tickets, backing Camillo at the top while dividing votes among both parties further down. “For people who are paying attention, that actually may be true,” Camillo said when asked whether the overall results reflected voter endorsement of his long-term vision for Greenwich. “These are things that I ran on, and these are things the voters overwhelmingly supported.”
He said his priorities remain consistent: maintaining Greenwich’s affordability, keeping one of the lowest mill rates in the state, and encouraging civility in local government. “I’ve had conversations with both newly elected Republicans and re-elected Democrats on the BET,” he said. “There’s agreement that we want to keep Greenwich affordable and not fight over every public-private partnership or very grant. You have to listen to the voters – they supported this vision.”
Camillo, Rabin, and the GOP Slate Address Supporters
At Republican headquarters on election night, Camillo thanked his running mates and volunteers who “made countless calls, knocked on doors, set up signs, and had meaningful conversations across the community.”
Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, re-elected to a fourth term, called the night ‘a humbling reminder that this town rewards service and sincerity.” In her speech, she added, “This is my fifth election wearing this dress – I’m burning it after tonight! I’ve been waking at 4 a.m. for the past month, but it’s been worth it. I want to thank God, my family, and my running mate Fred, who is truly the leader we need.”
Town Clerk Jackie Budkins, who secured re-election, thanked her family and the voters for their trust. “My message for those who didn’t vote for me today is that I still love you, and I will still work with you the same way I work with everyone every single day,” she said. “My door is always open, and I love my job and I love Greenwich.”
Tax Collector Heather Smeriglio, also re-elected, credited her faith and family. “Thank you, God, for giving me the win and the opportunity to serve my hometown for another term,” she said. “I’m so blessed to be able to continue as your tax collector.”
Reflecting on the Mandate
In his closing remarks, Camillo praised his colleagues and the volunteers who powered the campaign, describing them as “the best in the state of Connecticut.” “I grew up in this town,” he said. “I never thought I’d be First Selectman – I always wanted to play center field for the Yankees. But it’s not a bad second choice. I’ll work just as hard in the next two years as I have the last six.”
He also addressed the broader meaning of the election, saying, “If you want to be number one, as Vince Lombardi said, you always shoot for perfection. You’re never going to attain it, but along the way you’re going to grab excellence – and that’s the Greenwich way.”
Enduring Local Confidence
As one election official put it, the results represented “a real endorsement of Fred’s vision,” noting that “the community seemed to feel the folks they voted for are the best people to help enable his vision.”
The 2025 results confirm what local officials describe as a durable bond between Camillo and Greenwich voters – a confidence built on continuity and a focus on local governance rather than national partisanship. Despite broader headwinds, Camillo’s fourth victory reinforces his status as the town’s steady hand at the helm, with a coalition that has held firm across six years and four elections.
