Warshaw backed by Warren’s Dems

The Warren Democratic Town Committee nominated Stephen Warshaw for first selectman, Tuesday, in Warren’s first contested election in nearly 30 years.

“I’m very flattered,” said Warshaw. “The fact is I did give it a passing thought when Jack [Travers] announced he wasn’t going to seek reelection, and then like everyone else I got consumed with life.”

“Then the Democratic town committee came to me and said, ‘You’d be great at this,’” said Warshaw. “You know it feels great.”

Warshaw is running against Warren native Craig Nelson, Republican Town Committee chair, Board of Assessment Appeals chair and zoning enforcement officer for Warren. He’s required to vacate those seats if elected. It’s both Nelson’s and Warshaw’s first time running for first selectman.

The field was opened for competition after the retirement of five-term Republican first selectman Jack Travers. Travers announced two years ago he wouldn’t seek reelection, and instead is running for the board of finance.

Warshaw is a former Congressional aide in constituent services to three senators, including Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy. In 2008 he founded Linchpin, and currently works as a project facilitator with private-sector clients such as GE, NBC and Well-point, as well as publicsector clients such as the cities of Boston and Springfield, Mass., and Torrington, according to a release. Warshaw holds a public policy bachelor’s degree.

In 2006, Warshaw moved to Warren with his wife and two children, and purchased the Huckleberry Inn on Route 341. He’s been a Warren Volunteer Firefighter since 2008.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Warshaw