NewCanaanite.com recently received the following endorsement letters. We will publish them through Oct. 26.
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Dear Editor,
Over the coming weeks leading to our election, the New Canaan Republican Town Committee will launch a new advertising campaign built around a simple message: “Good Government Needs Two Sides.”
For residents who may not follow Hartford closely, some context is important. Democrats currently hold 102 of 151 seats in the Connecticut House and 25 of 36 seats in the Senate; Republicans hold 49 and 11, respectively. Those Democratic margins exceed the two-thirds threshold commonly referred to as a supermajority and are sufficient to override a gubernatorial veto. Democratic leadership also controls the agendas of both chambers, and when Democratic members vote together, ordinary legislation can pass without Republican votes.
The RTC believes that good government is strengthened by genuine debate, meaningful oversight, and checks and balances. In New Canaan, we are fortunate to live in a community with strong schools, active civic institutions, engaged residents, and a long tradition of local volunteer government. However, decisions made in Hartford have real consequences for how we live, work, educate our children, and govern our community. For these reasons, Republican candidates across the ticket are focused on key issues that matter deeply to New Canaan families and businesses, including affordability, accountability, and local control.
We are pleased to introduce these Republican candidates who will be appearing on New Canaan ballots this November. They bring a wide range of professional, public-service, and community experience to races at the state, federal, legislative, and local levels. We encourage residents to learn more about each of them through their campaign websites.
- Ryan Fazio — Governor
- Matthew Corey — Lieutenant Governor
- John Bolton — Attorney General
- Peter Lumaj — Secretary of the State
- Jen Tooker — State Comptroller
- Fred Wilms — State Treasurer
- Michael Goldstein — U.S. Representative, 4th Congressional District
- Joe Kelly — State Senator, 36th District
- Alma Sarelli — State Senator, 26th District
- Tom O’Dea — State Representative, 125th District and Deputy Republican Leader of the House
- Don Mastronardi — State Representative, 142nd District
- Michael Nedder — Judge of Probate, Darien–New Canaan Probate District 52
New Canaan is strengthened by engaged residents, strong schools, vibrant local institutions, volunteer service, and a deep tradition of civic participation. Preserving those strengths also means paying attention to the decisions made beyond our town borders and to the people we send to represent us.
Elections are decided by those who participate. Whatever your political affiliation, we encourage every New Canaan voter to learn about the candidates, understand the issues, and make their voice heard this November.
Sincerely,
Melany Hearne
Chairman, New Canaan Republican Town Committee
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To the Editor:
One of the reasons families choose Greenwich, Stamford and New Canaan is our schools. Protecting that advantage should be among the highest priorities of our next state senator.
I support Jill Oberlander because she understands that strong public education involves more than what happens inside a classroom.
A strong educational system involves recruiting and retaining excellent teachers. It means safe, modern school buildings. And it means making sure we have the resources necessary to prepare students for tomorrow.
Strong schools also matter well beyond the classroom.
Employers want to locate where they can find an educated workforce. Families want to live where their children will receive an excellent education. Strong schools support property values and help Connecticut compete with neighboring states.
But maintaining excellence requires investment—and discipline.
Every dollar spent on education should advance student achievement, support teachers and maintain the facilities students depend upon. Educators deserve the resources necessary to do their jobs well. And taxpayers deserve accountability.
Jill understands both sides of that equation.
Her years in Greenwich government have required her to balance competing priorities, scrutinize budgets and make difficult decisions about long-term capital investments. She knows that postponing necessary maintenance may save money today while costing taxpayers far more tomorrow.
That practical experience will matter in Hartford.
What I also like about Jill is that she sees education as a basic responsibility. What do our children need to succeed, and what can we do to help them get there?
At a time when politics too often turns schools into another source of division, that approach is refreshing.
Our children deserve excellent schools. Our teachers deserve support. And taxpayers deserve responsible stewardship.
Jill knows we don’t have to choose between strong schools and responsible spending. We should expect both.
I enthusiastically support Jill Oberlander for State Senate.
Sincerely,
Lynn Markley, Greenwich
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My family and I have lived in Greenwich for 30 years. I served on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and sat on the RTM Finance Committee from 2014-2017. I had the privilege of working with Jill Oberlander during her tenure on the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET).
My experience across these local governing bodies has taught me what responsible fiscal governance looks like. Sound municipal budgeting and financing demand planning for the short and long term at the same time. True financial stewardship isn’t just about spending less today. It’s about making smart decisions that keep costs predictable tomorrow.
Jill understands that as well. During the recent prolonged era of zero and near-zero interest rates, she actively advocated for a sensible debt strategy to take advantage of the historically cheap financing.
But while neighboring communities locked in historically low long-term rates to fund critical school and infrastructure projects, Greenwich stuck to its short-term debt policy. In Jill’s view and mine, Greenwich missed an unusually favorable opportunity to finance long-term investments at historically low rates.
Jill understands that delivering top-tier services at the lowest possible cost requires planning, setting priorities and making smart long-term investments. And the record shows her ability to do so. During her successful tenure as BET chair, Greenwich saw tax increases lower than those of the preceding decade.
Jill has worked to keep our taxes low and the quality of our lives high. She is committed to fiscal responsibility and to preserving our exceptional communities’ unique character, natural beauty and unmatched services.
Greenwich and the 36th District need a senator in Hartford ready and able to do the hard work required of an effective state senator. Jill Oberlander has demonstrated the capacity and dedication to meet the challenge. I wholeheartedly urge my neighbors to support Jill Oberlander for State Senate.
Jeffrey Bardos, Greenwich
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It’s no secret that our political climate has grown wildly polarized and shockingly partisan.
I recall growing up in a time when the hot topics for debate between Republicans and Democrats were big vs. small government, tax cuts vs. improved social programs, and how best to manage lowering the deficit. Today, even basic things we need as a species to survive like clean air, access to a doctor, and affordable shelter have become hyper-politicized.
I believe the antidote to the extremes surfacing in our political arena is to elect pragmatic, sensible candidates who are prepared to get to work on behalf of their communities. We need to elect officials who consider an issue based on whether it is right for their constituents, not whether it serves their own interests or egos.
This is why I am supporting Jill Oberlander for State Senate.
Jill has spent years doing the practical, necessary work to make a municipality run efficiently: understanding budgets, asking tough questions, working through disagreements, and making decisions that she believes will improve the lives of those around her.
In her roles as chair of Greenwich’s Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET), on the Board of Selectmen, and now on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), Jill has demonstrated rational assessment, sound judgement, and a willingness to work conscientiously with those who may not always agree with her. We need these qualities in our leaders today more than ever.
As someone who supported Jill’s campaign from the start and serves with her on the Greenwich RTM, I’ve heard her describe herself as an Independent Democrat. I think we need more independent, pragmatic thinkers in our State Senate today. I want representation in Hartford focused on getting things done, not scoring points. I’m confident Jill Oberlander is that person.
JoAnna Foyle, Greenwich