The Anderson/LaFleur ticket garnered 814 votes to 577 for Arcudi, a margin of 59 to 41 percent. The turnout was relatively light, with 28 percent of the town's 4,974 registered Republicans going to the polls.
Anderson and LaFleur, who were endorsed by the Westport Republican Town Committee in July, will face incumbent Democratic First Selectman Gordon Joseloff and Second Selectman Shelly Kassen in the Nov. 3 general election.
The polls were open until 8 p.m. Tuesday, and it was soon clear that Anderson/LaFleur had won handily. Arcudi visted GOP headquarters about 8:30 p.m. to congratulate the winners.
"Republican voters in today's primary election have made clear their choice for this year's Selectman race, and have endorsed strongly their own committee's unanimous selection of Kristin LaFleur and me as their candidates," Anderson said in a statement following his victory.
Westport Republican Party Chairman Bob Zappi commented, "Gavin's Republican primary win brings us one step closer to leading Westport toward stronger financial leadership and better cooperation between the Town and the schools."
"I congratulate Joe Arcudi," Anderson said. "Primary contests are hard fought, often bruising contests, but Joe presented his candidacy fairly and without rancor."
"The Anderson victory is due in no small part to the united efforts many hard-working volunteers, the Republican Party and the leadership of its Chairman, Bob Zappi. The Anderson campaign is honored and proud to have received this strong vote of confidence and the Anderson/LaFleur team looks forward to bringing its case to the broader Westport electorate this fall."
"The Anderson/LaFleur ticket clearly represents the best chance Republicans have had in 12 years to re-capture the First Selectman's Office," Anderson's statement said. "The Anderson/LaFleur team offers precisely the right combination of professional experience and in-depth knowledge of town affairs that will benefit all Westporters. They offer the clear reform agenda that Westport needs in order to successfully navigate the financial challenges our town faces as lingering economic weakness, depressed home values, and unchecked spending increasingly put our taxpayers at risk.
"Over the next seven weeks, I look forward to meeting as many Westporters as possible and sharing our ideas, agenda, and plan for the future. I know Westporters will listen as we make our case and I hope we can earn their vote and the right to represent them as their First and Second Selectmen."
Reached by the Minuteman Wednesday, Arcudi said, "Obviously [Anderson and LaFleur} got their people out to the polls. I'm disappointed that only 28 percent voted, but even if more had shown up it wouldn't have made a difference. Anderson won handily-fair and square.
"I did my best," Arcudi said. "I thought we had good ads, and I thought we would appeal to more Republicans.
So now, back to my restaurant."
Arcudi said he would "love to see the Republicans win so we have some more financial experience and better behavior in Town Hall."
Arcudi served as first selectman for one four-year term before being defeated by Democrat Diane Farrell in 1997. He also served as third selectman for years and as a member of the Representative Town Meeting. He recently opened a new restaurant in Westport.
Anderson has served on the Westport Board of Finance, RTM, and Finance, Public Works and Ordinance Committees. He serves currently as chairman of the First Selectman's Maintenance Study Committee, having been a member since 1997. Most recently he also chaired the King's Highway Special Maintenance committee, and is co- chair of the Sherwood Millpond Committee.
Anderson worked in New York City and around the world in senior financial management positions at Colgate-Palmolive and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
LaFleur was elected to the Westport Board of Education in 2005. She has held leadership positions and served on or chaired committees in the Westport Young Woman's League including Treasurer, Ways and Means Chairman, Long-Range Planning, Parliamentarian, Special Projects Coordinator, Minuteman Race Co-chair and Sponsor Committee Co-Chair. LaFleur held positions in auditing, compliance, and risk management at Chase Manhattan Corporation and GE Capital.
Meanwhile, John Izzo, who ran for first selectman four years ago and lost to Joseloff, told the Minuteman he would be a write-in candidate this year.