Peter Nystrom
Peter A. Nystrom (born c. 1957) is an American politician. He was a member of the Norwich City Council from 1979 to 1984, when he won his first election to the Connecticut House of Representatives. Nystrom served as a state representative until 2002. That year, he ran unsuccessfully for seat on the Connecticut Senate. In 2009, Nystrom returned to the Norwich City Council via a special election and won the mayoralty later that year. He relinquished the mayoralty in 2013, began a third stint on the city council in 2015, and was elected to consecutive mayoral terms in 2017 and 2021.
Career
[edit]Nystrom attended Eastern Connecticut State College, and competed for the school's track and cross country teams.[1] Outside of politics, Nystrom drove for the United Parcel Service for 24 years.[2]
A Republican, Nystrom contested his first election at the age of 22, winning a seat on the Norwich City Council in 1979.[3][4] After five years as a city councilor, Nystrom defeated nine-term Democratic incumbent Thomas Sweeney in the 46th district of the Connecticut House of Representatives.[1][2] Nystrom's tenure as a state representative lasted 18 years.[5][6] in 2002, he lost to incumbent Edith Prague of the Connecticut Senate's 19th district.[7][8] During the campaign, Nystrom debated Prague on health-related issues.[9] Nystrom won a special election in 2009, returning to the Norwich City Council.[6] That November, he defeated Mark Bettencourt to win the mayoralty.[6][10] In 2013, Nystrom lost reelection to Deberey Hinchey, the first woman mayor in Norwich history.[1][2] Nystrom contested the 2015 city council election,[6] and won, subsequently assuming the office of council president pro tempore.[2] He was one of five candidates to declare interest in running for the mayoralty in 2017,[2] and eventually won 57 percent of the vote to defeat Democrat Derell Wilson.[5][3][11] Nystrom announced in March 2021 that he would run for a third and final mayoral term.[3][12] Nystrom defeated Mark Bettencourt, his opponent in 2009, to retain the mayoralty.[10][13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Stanley, Bill (March 26, 2021). "Notably Norwich: Peter Nystrom has weathered the political life for decades". The Day. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Bassette, Claire (November 2, 2017). "Five candidates running for Norwich mayoral seat". The Day. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ a b c Bassette, Claire (March 4, 2021). "Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom to seek third term". The Day. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ Elizabeth, Anna (October 12, 2021). "Peter Nystrom Campaigns Door to Door in 19th Run for Office". Connecticut Examiner. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Elizabeth, Anna (August 16, 2021). "Peter Nystrom Talks Fiscal Responsibility, a Third Term as Norwich Mayor". Connecticut Examiner. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Bassette, Claire (August 18, 2015). "Former Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom to run for City Council". The Day. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ "Letters: vote urged for Peter Nystrom". Hartford Courant. October 14, 2002. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ Drelich, Kimberly (December 16, 2021). "Former state legislator, Commissioner on Aging Edith Prague remembered for advocacy, empathy". The Day. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ Marteka, Peter (October 16, 2002). "Prague, Nystrom debate health issues". Hartford Courant. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Grahn, Matt (March 25, 2021). "Bettencourt to run for Norwich mayor, challenges incumbent Nystrom". Norwich Bulletin. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ "Peter Nystrom Elected Norwich Mayor, Takes City's Top Job After 2013 Loss". WVIT. November 7, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ Grahn, Matt (March 4, 2021). "Nystrom running again for Norwich mayor". Norwich Bulletin. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ Bassette, Claire (November 2, 2021). "Incumbent Republican Nystrom wins easily in Norwich". The Day. Retrieved December 19, 2021.