After Victory, West Hartford Democrats Poke Fun at Negative Campaign Ad

In the end, West Hartford Democrats enjoyed a laugh on Tuesday evening after the results were in, poking fun at a Republican mailer that targeted Town Councilor Leon Davidoff.

Davidoff, a former Republican who switched parties in 2010, received from Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor a Thomas the Train pinata, a toy train that spelled out his name and a party favor that, when blown into, sounded like a train whistle.

That was in response to Republican mailer that stated that “Leon Davidoff Leads from the Caboose.” The piece was sent out just before last weekend and went to numerous households in West Hartford.

Davidoff, for his part, declined to comment on the mailer, which appeared to be a not-so-veiled reference to his weight.

Others, however, were a bit more vocal on the matter, particularly on Tuesday, when the election results were in.

“We ran a positive campaign, and what we were hearing from residents was borne out today,” Mayor Scott Slifka said in a telephone interview. “[The mailer] was a shame. The town rejected [negative campaigning] again. It does feel good to know that it was supremely rejected by the voters.”

Slifka was referencing the municipal election results in which the Democrats maintained a 6-3 supermajority on the Town Council. In addition, all six Democrats, including Davidoff, received more votes than top Republican vote getter Denise Hall.