Media
By Michael Gagne, The Newstimes
July 23, 2025
DANBURY -- Standing behind a podium
and addressing a group of supporters who stood at their tables
at Anthony's Lake Club, Republican Emile G. Buzaid Jr., a
third-generation Danbury resident, local business owner and
longtime City Council member, accepted his party's nomination
for mayor Tuesday night.
"I have to thank you all for stepping up," Buzaid said upon
receiving the nomination. "Five months ago, quite a few of us
had no idea we were going to be running for mayor. And we
started from practically nothing, and are now a fully
operational machine."
Buzaid now leads a Republican ticket looking to bounce back from
losses it suffered in the 2023 city election, hoping to take
back the mayor's office as well as seats on the City Council,
Board of Education and Zoning Commission, which Democrats now
control, as well as take back other city hall positions.
"Let me tell you why we're going to win. We're here because we
believe in heart, that's what it's going to take to win," Buzaid
said.
He praised the other candidates who received the Republican Town
Committee's nominations for other elected offices.
"We
have brilliant people here. We have successful people, very
seasoned professionals. They're dedicated, and they're here for
the right reasons. They're here for Danbury. There are no people
here trying to build a career," Buzaid said.
At times, he took subtle digs at his Democratic opponent,
incumbent Mayor Roberto Alves.
"Pictures, photo ops, that's nice. Even a big bank account,
that's nice, but that doesn't guarantee a win. What guarantees a
win is what happens here," Buzaid said, his hand motioning to
the center of his chest. "The quality of the people, their
credentials, their dedication. I know many people on the other
side, who are great people. However, they don't have this, they
don't believe in it. That's why we're going to win. That's what
it takes."
Buzaid briefly summarized his campaign's focus.
"The idea of our campaign was Buzaid is best, best for Danbury.
B, E, S, T: business, education, safety, transportation," he
said, promising to "lead the city back to where it needs to be."
Before Republicans were handed a defeat two years ago, the party
had held the mayor's office for more than two decades. The GOP
also had a supermajority on the City Council, and held
majorities on the Board of Education and Zoning Commission as
well.
That all changed starting with the top of the ticket: Alves
defeated then-incumbent GOP mayor Dean Esposito in a tight
hard-fought contest, besting Esposito by 272 votes, according to
results reported by the Connecticut Secretary of the State's
office.
Democrats in that same election flipped control of the council,
Board of Education and Zoning Commission, assuming their own
supermajority rule of the council.
Buzaid, who owns Buzaid Music Company and Maxx Gun and Pawn, is
in his third consecutive term on the council. He previously
served multiple terms on the council in the late 1990s and early
2000s.
"Emile is exactly the person we need to direct our city towards
prosperity and a better quality of life. The Buzaid
administration will serve the interests of all Danbury residents
and lead the city toward smarter growth," said Mark Cammisa, a
member of the RTC.
By Michael Gagne, The Newstimes
March 20, 2025
DANBURY -- A Republican member of the City Council and
long-time business owner has entered the race for mayor.
Councilmember Emile G. Buzaid Jr. filed a candidate registration form with the Town Clerk's office on Monday, becoming the first candidate to challenge incumbent Democratic Mayor Roberto Alves in the November election.
Buzaid said he is running because he has a "different vision for where the city is going -- over the past year, especially."
"So many people have come to me with their concerns. And I listen to the people," Buzaid said.
The 71-year-old said a common refrain he heard was that people wanted him to run for mayor.
"The support is overwhelming," Buzaid said "My wife and I are both third-generation Danburians. My businesses have always been in the City of Danbury. We love the city. We're dedicated to the cause."
Buzaid owns Buzaid Music Company and Maxx Gun and Pawn.
Buzaid is in his third consecutive term on the City Council as an at-large member. He served a previous stint on the council from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.
Buzaid's campaign identified business, education, safety and transportation among his primary issues. He promised to lead the city "the way I have led my life, with honesty, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to this community's success and safety."
"My family helped build this city's future for several generations, regardless of who was in charge," Buzaid said.
In January, Alves officially filed paperwork to seek a second term. When he was elected in November 2023, defeating then-incumbent Republican Dean Esposito, it was the first time a Democrat held Danbury's top elected post in 22 years. In that election, the City Council, previously under the Republicans' control, also flipped to Democrats. Democrats also assumed majorities on the Board of Education and Zoning Commission.
Danbury Democratic Town Committee chairman Larry Riefberg, in a statement, said he is "glad the Danbury Republican Town Committee could finally agree on something. Emile's an old, familiar name and a friend, but this feels more like a last minute scramble than a real plan. We'll see if they can hold it together."
Republican Town Committee Chairman Michael Coelho, in response, said, "Larry Riefberg may consider Emile a friend, but it's telling that he and part-time Mayor Roberto Alves are more focused on cheap political shots than addressing Danbury's real issues."
"Instead of speculating about the Republican Town Committee -- when neither party can legally endorse candidates until July -- Riefberg should explain why violent crime and child trafficking are rising under Democratic leadership. He should also answer for the $8 million in unused taxpayer dollars uncovered in the recent Danbury Public Schools audit."
"The people of Danbury deserve accountability, not excuses and mismanagement," Coelho said.
