For the members of the Brookfield Republican Town Committee (BRTC), the election process which will culminate this fall has already been an active and long process. Over the past year, we have had the pleasure of hosting, meeting and listening to candidates running for U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress and CT State Representatives. The members of the BRTC have been hard at work -- attending fund raisers, participating in conventions and in some cases working for candidates who were on the ballot. The BRTC also hosted a “Summer Social” which attracted over 150 Brookfield residents who had an opportunity to meet informally with the candidates.
In late July, the BRTC hosted a 5th Congressional District Debate at Brookfield High School. This event received very positive press for a well run and spirited forum. The debate was covered by CTN and Channel 21 and was also was featured in The News-Times, Torrington Register-Citizen, Housatonic Times, WLAD Radio and the Brookfield Patch. This was the first time Brookfield Republicans have sponsored such an event and with over 400 in attendance it was quite an impressive show.
In state and federal elections, the BRTC has a more limited role in the overall process than in local elections; as a committee, we do not nominate candidates nor do our party rules allow us to endorse a candidate for any of the offices being contested in a primary. We also cannot spend money as a Town Committee to promote any of the candidates pursuant to the GOP State Central by-laws. The only exception to this is our endorsement of Clark Chapin for the 30th State Senate, Jeff Dunkerton for Registrar of Voters, and Mitt Romney for President since there were no other Republican challengers at the time of the endorsement. Sometimes this lack of endorsement seems like lack of support for certain candidates who are running. This is far from the truth – it is more about fair treatment of ALL Republican candidates who are running for office.
The BRTC does have a role, however, in choosing delegates to attend the three conventions (U.S. Senate, U.S. 5th Congressional District, and 107th CT State Representative). This year, Brookfield was allowed 7 Republican delegates to each convention. All delegates chosen were uncommitted and free to vote how they choose. Many of the delegates were contacted by candidates for the various offices in effort to garner their support. Like the town as a whole, the BRTC was not unanimous in choosing any candidate; each had his or her favorite. However, now that the primary is over, and the Republicans have selected the candidates for the fall election, the members of the BRTC can formally endorse our Republican candidates and unify the energy of our very strong Brookfield Republican party behind them.
As chairman of the committee, I am pleased to announce that at the August BRTC meeting, Linda McMahon (U.S. Senate), Andrew Roraback (U.S. 5th Congressional District) and David Scribner (CT State Representative) were unanimously endorsed by the Brookfield Republican Town Committee. We look forward to a victory by our entire ticket on November 6th.
Marty Flynn
Chairman, Brookfield Republican Town Committee
