Conservative caucus needs you
Dear Greenwich Republicans, Firstly I want to congratulate you on being affiliated with the Common Sense party! In these times of increasing far-left radicalism and government overreach your vote and your voice are more important than ever; and deeply appreciated by those of us on the front lines in Greenwich.
Two years ago, after one year of the Biden administration, I first ran for Republican Town Committee (RTC). I had never in my life been political. What I was seeing on the national stage, which was seeping into our state and our town, caused me to be deeply concerned for the future of my beloved Greenwich; for our schools, our children and our hard-earned lifestyle. I believed it was time for a political reset, nationally and locally; and my position was simple — the Greenwich Republican party must return to the traditional Republican values of the Connecticut GOP:
To Educate Voters and to Grow the Party; To Recruit, Support, and Help Elect Republican Candidates; To Return to Individual Liberty, Affordability, and Common-Sense Government in Connecticut (Connecticut GOP Mission Statement).
I am a Greenwich resident of 40 years and also a mom who spent 18 of those years as a very involved Greenwich Public Schools volunteer. Always active in the community, I was a PTA Board member, Scout leader and Sunday School teacher. For the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving as secretary of the Republican Town Committee (RTC), duly elected to represent District 8 (Cos Cob).
Along with five others I was endorsed again at this year’s Jan. 9 RTC caucus held at St. Lawrence Society. All six endorsements won an overwhelming majority — 68%-78% — of the District 8 caucus vote. These endorsements are now being challenged in a primary to be held on March 5.
Possibly the most important role of the RTC is the nomination of party-endorsed candidates for municipal and other elected offices. As one of about 42 new members of the 2022 RTC I was invigorated by the group’s commitment to traditional values — family, liberty, freedom, prosperity, common sense and integrity. This RTC “new blood” would endorse and support strong candidates who would not crumble under liberal demands and one-sided compromise. Very importantly, we (the RTC) would hold those elected officials accountable. After all, someone had to! I believed then, as now, that a growing majority of Republican, Independent and Unaffiliated voters want their elected officials to possess the backbone, integrity and common sense required to resist the cronyism and big-money pressure of liberal policy-makers. I applaud all Republicans who put personal ambition aside for the greater good of keeping Greenwich … Greenwich.
My fellow RTC members and I have worked tirelessly on Republican campaigns alongside First Selectman Fred Camillo, Selectwoman Lauren Rabin and other Republican candidates. In 2021 I knocked on Cos Cob doors for their reelection campaigns. In just the two weeks preceding the 2023 election, I personally spent more than 100 hours in the Riverside Republican headquarters making phone calls, sending emails, prepping collateral, coordinating volunteers, talking with constituents and delivering lawn signs for all of our Republican candidates. My commitment to the Greenwich Republican party is unequivocal, and I take my participation on the RTC very seriously.
You might be aware of a very public rift within the Greenwich Republican party, which is actively playing out in the media. This saddens me. Off-base vilification and disinformation by the far left’s “Indivisibles,” who now dominate our Greenwich RTM, is expected. You might also be able to clearly see that their application of “extremist,” “MAGA” and “fringe” labels on those who adhere to the mission of the GOP aligns perfectly with a very obvious national left-wing offensive strategy. Smart Republicans like you see it for the propaganda it is. Being attacked by members of our own party while we uphold those principles, however, is another, deeply concerning, matter entirely. A small number of fellow Republicans across town joined with our liberal brethren in an effort to rout these traditional principles out of the Greenwich RTC, with caucus challenges on Jan. 9. These Republicans seem to prefer a more “uniparty” approach that is compliant to the very vocal, increasingly leftleaning Democrat party. I don’t expect to ever understand why Republicans would put virtue-signaling and “woke” ideology over traditional values and common sense. All I can do is fight even harder for our values, our children and the future of Greenwich.
The next chapter in this drama takes place on March 5, when you can make your voice heard. This is a Republican-only Primary Election for 6 precious District 8 seats on the RTC.
If you want traditional Republican representation for you and your family, please vote for me and other Republican Representatives who will uphold traditional Republican values.
We have a demonstrated track record of hard work, participation and unequivocal support for all Republican candidates. Most importantly, we share core values of family, liberty, freedom, prosperity, common sense and integrity.
In this election every single vote is important. I assure you the liberals will be working overtime to get out their vote to influence the selection of the most liberal “Republican” candidates for the November general election. This is no time to assume others are doing the work, and therefore you don’t need to. The conservative caucus needs you as much as you need us.
Below is a list of dedicated conservative volunteers who have a track record of holding elected officials accountable.
* Incumbents
District 2 — Vote at Town Hall
George Hritz*
Aldo Pascarella
Susan Schieffelin*
Erika Walsh
District 4 — Vote at New Lebanon School
Kristi Niemynski* Richard Niemynski* Natasha Parello
Amber Pietrafeso
Lume Zogaj
District 5 — Vote at Riverside School
Gideon Fountain Maria Herrman Schnabl Sharon Kistler
District 8 - Vote at Central Middle School
Blazej Cichy
Mike DeVita
Phil Dodson*
Gail Lauridsen* secretary Joe Montanaro* vice chair Joe Solari* CTGOP Rep
District 9 - Vote at Bendheim Western Civic Center
Chris Bradicich
Mike Brescia*
Roberto Fernandez
John LaMana
Dan Sinisi*
As in all elections, your vote is your strength.
Gail Lauridsen is secretary of the Greenwich RTC, representing District 8 (Cos Cob).