Numerous candidates for congressional and state offices made appearances at the Weston Republican Town Committee’s (RTC) regular monthly meeting on April 8 hoping to obtain a coveted endorsement.
With conventions slated for May, the RTC began its endorsement process later that evening. Dan Debicella received the nod for the 4th congressional seat.
In learning of the endorsement, Debicella said, “the Weston RTC endorsed my candidacy for Congress, joining a number of Weston leaders including former State Representative John Stripp, former First Selectman Woody Bliss, Selectman Dennis Tracey, former RTC Chairs Glenn Major and Judy Stripp, and current RTC Chair Britta Lerner.
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Weston has been blessed to have such competent leadership, and I am proud to have them on my team.” The Weston RTC adds its name to a list of over 125 endorsements from Republican Mayors, First Selectmen, legislators, RTC Chairs, and rank-and-file RTC members.
On Thursday, State Party Chair Jerry Labriola announced at the Prescott Bush Dinner that State Representative John Shaban would no longer be a candidate for the 4th congressional seat and planned to put his support behind Debicella. That news was followed by a statement Shaban released on April 12 that he intends to seek a third term for the 135th State House district.
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The Weston RTC also made several endorsements for key state offices including:
Governor: Mark Boughton, Mayor of Danbury
State Senator, 26th District: Toni Boucher, Incumbent
State Senator, 28th District: Tony Hwang, State Rep. for the 134th District (towns of Fairfield and Trumbull)
Probate Judge for Westport/Weston District: Lisa Wexler, Incumbent
The District 28th State Senate seat is currently held by Senator John McKinney who is vacating it to seek the Governorship.
Next month, the Weston Republican Town Committee is expected to make an endorsement for the 135th House District seat and discuss the Gubernatorial under-ticket candidates in preparation for the State GOP Convention on May 16-17. Weston’s elected delegates will be Woody Bliss, Britta Lerner, Glenn Major and Judy Stripp.
If the Prescott Bush Dinner was any indication, Republicans are looking to take back the state in the November elections so they can get its fiscal house back in order and make Connecticut attractive to business and families once again.