New Chair of Stratford Democratic Town Committee Elected

The Stratford Democratic Town Committee unanimously elected Kathleen Callahan to the top position on June 16th, following the resignation of party chair Steve Taccogna, who had served in the position since March 2020.

Callahan has been actively engaged with the Stratford DTC for the past four years, working as a strategist on local and statewide campaigns. She ran unsuccessfully as a town council candidate in District 10 in the 2021 municipal elections.

She told SDTC members, “My connection to politics is through my father, growing up with him as the chair of the Stamford Democratic Town Committee. I still vividly recall 6 or 7-year-old me, sneaking out of bed and sitting on the top of the stairs, mesmerized by conversations I did not understand yet found fascinating.”

She then spent over two decades as a software engineer and recently transitioned to a career as a social worker, focused on legislative advocacy and elevating community voices.

On May 24, Taccogna told SDTC members he could no longer devote the time needed and deserved from its leadership. He said he will remain a member of the SDTC, and he endorsed Callahan to be his successor.

Callahan “will be able to carry the mantle of leadership and continue to advance this committee forward for the betterment of Stratford and the State of Connecticut,” he said. “Kathleen has been a key contributor to our successful campaigns over the past several years, was a Town Council candidate in our last election cycle, and remains a tireless advocate for Stratford and Democratic principles at every level of government. I believe she will be a catalyst to greater achievements over the next few years.”

The SDTC Vice Chair, Immacula Cann, declined to move up to the top position. She endorsed Callahan and thanked Taccogna for “taking the helm in 2020 and holding so many key roles within the SDTC. We had some historic wins due to your leadership!”

Callahan said she would first focus on helping the strong slate of Democratic candidates running for the state legislature this year. Next year, most Republican members of the Town Council will not be able to run again due to term limits, she noted, providing an opportunity for the party to reclaim control of the Council.