By Jarret Liotta

WESTPORT — Following a seemingly rare runoff for the top spot, Mark Friedman — who served the last two years as DTC vice chair and is a current Representative Town Meeting member from District 3 — was elected chair of Westport’s Democratic Town Committee on Wednesday night.

Friedman replaced Ellen Lautenberg, who served a two-year term and is an RTM member from District 7.

“As Democrats we have a lot of work to do this term,” Friedman said, “and I know there is nothing we cannot do if we do it together.”

In a 30-to-23 vote, Friedman beat out Rob Simmelkjaer at an in-person meeting of the DTC held at the Bedford Middle School auditorium.

Though the majority party in Westport, the Democrats have had a tumultuous year, with in-fighting, in-house criticism of the committee leadership, and even lawsuits marring their quest for unity.

In speeches following their respective nominations, both Friedman and Simmelkjaer — who recently terminated a brief exploratory campaign for Connecticut’s secretary of the state — spoke to the importance of coming together to support the party agenda.

Friedman also highlighted the importance of voting rights and emphasized the need to augment that freedom in the coming election.

“This is a critical avenue to channel our energy and channel our enthusiasm,” he said, “because this November there is so much at stake.”

Meanwhile Michelle Mechanic, an attorney, narrowly beat out Michael Rea for the vice chair position in a 27-to-26 vote.

Rea, who switched parties after having chaired the Republican Town Committee several years ago, ran alongside Friedman and Marla Cowden, former Democratic registrar of voters, who took the post of DTC secretary from Nicole Gerber.

Alan Shinbaum was uncontested for treasurer, the position he formerly held, while Cowden replaced Lisa Newman, an RTM member from District 8 who served a term as secretary.