Mayoral incumbents win big

East Haven (WTNH) - It's all about local impact in Tuesday's elections in Connecticut. Voters in 162 cities and towns headed to the polls to have their say on important decisions in their neighborhoods.

By 9 p.m., East Haven Mayor April Capone Almon was claiming victory over her Republican challenger, John Finkle. It will be Almon's second term.

And it was a historic election in Hamden where voters decided to elect Scott Jackson (D) as the town's first African-American mayor. He defeated Ron Gambardella. Incumbent Craig Henrici did not run.

Republican Mayor Sebastian Guiliano is declaring victory over Dan Drew. It will be Guiliano's third term.

Other incumbents that held on to win another term include Mayor Mark Lauretti (R-Shelton) and Mayor John DeStefano (D-New Haven).

News Channel 8 spoke to Mayor DeStefano after his win and asked what he will be working to improve this term.

"Our focus really needs to be closing the achievement gap between non minority and minority kids, cutting our drop out rate way down, and making sure kids get into college and graduate from college," Mayor DeStefano said. "That's the best anti-violence strategy, economic development program, and it's the best way to grow wealth in the city."

Democrat Mayor Michael Jarjura, for Waterbury, and Democrat Arthur Ward, of Bristol, have also been re-elected.