A 22-year-old Democrat has secured a landmark victory in a small Connecticut town, becoming its youngest-ever treasurer and gaining control over millions of pounds in taxpayer money.
A Narrow Victory in a Republican Stronghold
According to the Hartford Courant, Thomas Peters clinched the treasurer's role in Durham on November 4 after a fiercely contested race. He defeated his 39-year-old Republican opponent, Brett Eagleson, by a razor-thin margin of just 27 votes.
This result marks a significant shift for Durham, a municipality that traditionally leans to the right. Town Clerk Nicole Charest confirmed to the outlet that Peters is the first Democratic treasurer to serve the community since 1985. "We are a majority Republican town, and we were expecting Republican results," Charest stated, describing the outcome as an "upset."
The town's voter registration underscores its conservative lean, with 1,736 Republicans, 1,328 Democrats, and 2,298 unaffiliated voters.
From University Graduate to Public Treasurer
Peters, a lifelong Durham resident, steps into the role following the retirement of Treasurer Wendy Manemeit, who had served since 2001—before Peters was born. He graduated from Quinnipiac University in May, where he studied political science and government.
His professional resume shows limited direct experience, featuring an internship on a State Representative campaign and a current role as an alternate on the Durham Zoning Board of Appeals. He has also worked at Panera Bread. However, he boasts extensive leadership involvement from his university days, serving as a student government senator, class president, and executive vice president for public relations.
His academic work is directly relevant to his new post: his senior thesis examined how different municipal governments allocated funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
A Call for Youth Engagement in Local Politics
In comments to the Hartford Courant, Peters framed his win as a call to action for his generation. "I want to bring the message that it is important for our generation to give back to the town that raised us," he said.
He addressed a sense of disenfranchisement among young people, adding, "Sometimes I feel like with everything going on in the nation, even a lot of young people feel stuck. The biggest difference you can make is the one that is closest to home."
The Durham Democrats website praised his "strong passion for public service," suggesting his election represents a "generational shift in local government."
Peters will not only manage the town's finances but will also hold positions on the Board of Finance, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Regional Board of Education. His victory was part of a broader pattern, with Democrats filling seats on 12 other boards in Durham and neighbouring towns.
The new treasurer announced his success on social media, where supporters flooded his posts with congratulatory messages. One supporter wrote, "Your hard work paid off!" while another exclaimed, "LETS GOOOO I VOTED FOR YOUUUUU SO PROUD OF YOU!"
