Hartford GOP backs McCauley
HARTFORD – J. Stan McCauley is a Hartford Democrat running as an independent in his third mayoral bid in 12 years — and in November, he’ll be leading the Republican ticket.
The Hartford Republican Town Committee voted Monday night to endorse McCauley for mayor. While McCauley is a registered Democrat, he didn’t seek the support of the Democratic Town Committee, which voted at its nominating convention Monday to endorse Mayor Luke Bronin over his sole challenger there, state Rep. Brandon McGee.
And this will be the second mayoral election McCauley is running with Republicans in his corner.
In 2007, he was the party’s endorsed candidate against thenincumbent Mayor Eddie Perez, who is also running against Bronin this year
McCauley collected 720 votes, finishing in fourth place behind Perez, I. Charles Mathews and state Rep. Minnie Gonzalez.
At the time, McCauley was better known as “Pastor Stan,” having started an evangelical church in Hartford. He was the executive director of Hartford Public Access TV before starting his own publicaccess network, which carries Hartford school board meetings and long-form talk shows.
In 2010, McCauley ran as a Democrat against then-Mayor Pedro Segarra. In 2015, McCauley supported Bronin. Now he’s challenging Bronin in what he says will be his final mayoral campaign, unless he should win.
Ken Lerman, chairman of the Republican town committee, said the group was familiar with McCauley from past elections, and because his wife, Nyesha McCauley, is a former committee member.
But the endorsement also came from shared values, particularly his fiscally conservative views, and a desire to “reach across the aisle,” Lerman said.
McCauley, who was prepared to petition his way onto the ballot in the November election, said he expects to receive another minor party nomination.
“We have to move beyond party politics and do what’s best for the city irrespective of party,” McCauley said.
The Republican town committee also endorsed three council candidates: Ted Cannon, Gary Bazzano and Tamara Cunningham.