Typo elects son instead of dad

DERBY, Conn., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A candidate for a Connecticut office said a typo led to his son, who has the same first and last names but a different middle name, being elected in his place.

James R. Butler, who ran for re-election to the Derby Board of Apportionment and Taxation, said he first noticed the "typographical error" when he went to the polls on Election Day and noticed the name of his son, James J. Butler, where his own name should be, the Connecticut Post reported Thursday.

"I was the one they nominated. My son wants nothing to do with this," James R. Butler said.

He said the mistake would be an easy one to make, as he and his son have similar names, both live on Prindle Avenue, and they share the same birthday.

The Democratic Town Committee is planning to meet prior to the scheduled Dec. 3 swearing-in ceremony to discuss what to do about the mistake, WVIT-TV, New Britain/Hartford/New Haven, reported.

Officials said the younger Butler may have to accept the position and resign to allow the Democratic Town Committee to appoint his father in his place.