Republicans endorse Nelson for 1st selectman

By Ryan Flynn Rflynn@registercitizen.com @RyFly12 on Twitter

There will be a real election in Warren this time, Democratic Committee Chair Marion Smith said in a release. For the first time in years, both the Republican and Democratic parties will have an endorsed candidate to run for first selectman.

The nominations began Monday night when the Republican Town Committee endorsed Craig Nelson for first selectman, and wasted no time in doing so. In the roughly 10-minute long caucus, Warren republicans nominated and immediately approved Nelson and the rest of the Republican slate Monday night at Warren Town Hall.

Warren will have its first real race in years, given that both parties will endorse a candidate this week. This has not been the case in recent elections, where one candidate has run unopposed for at least the last decade.

During the short caucus, resident Robert Bolton nominated Ellen Prindle, who he said has previously served on town boards and has been a town resident for more than 30 years. There was no second from the party members in attendance, however, which would have forced registered Republicans in attendance to choose a candidate by way of a paper ballot.

“It feels pretty good,” Nelson said of his endorsement. “It kind of solidifies everything as a party rather than being divided at this point. That they can’t get a second; that means a lot.”

Along with Nelson, the Republican slate endorsed Monday night included Cal- vin Tanner for selectman, Colleen Frisbie for town treasurer and Paul Taltavall for Board of Assessment Appeals. Current first selectman Jack Travers, who will step down this November after five terms, will run for a seat on the Board of Finance.

“Jack [ Travers] announced two years that this was going to be his last term and I advised the town committee at that point that I would be interested,” Nel- son said.

Nelson grew up in Warren and graduated from Wamogo. He is the current chair of the Warren Republican Town Committee, the Board of Assessment Appeals Commission and the current Zoning Enforcement Officer. If elected, he will need to vacate these seats. It is his first time running for first selectman.

The Democratic Town Committee’s caucus is Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Warren Town Hall, 50 Cemetery Road. According to a release, the Democrats will endorse Stephen Warshaw to run for First Selectman.

Warshaw, a seven-year Warren resident, is an Emergency Medical Response Technician and “an active member of the Warren Volunteer Fire Company,” according to a release by the Warren Democrats.

RYAN FLYNN— REGISTER CITIZEN Craig Nelson is no stranger to Warren town politics, having chaired several commissions, the Republican Town Committee and serving as the town’s zoning officer.