What is a Town Committee?
A Town Committee is a group of people who encourage and support citizens who
wish to serve their community by running for elective office or seeking an
appointed position. Each political party has a Town Committee in each town and
it is the “grass roots” organization of the party.
How can I join the Republican Town Committee?
First you have to be a registered voter and have selected Republican as your
party affiliation. Every even numbered year in March there is a Republican
caucus in which elections are held for each voting district. All registered
Republicans can attend and vote to elect town committee members for their
district. Anyone who is a registered Republican can run for Town Committee.
Do I have to be elected to the Town Committee to be involved?
Certainly not. All Republicans are invited to come to our monthly meetings to
learn about what we do and help out. Those who come and get involved quickly
become as important as any elected member to the success of our organization.
Active helpers’ opinions are valued and usually they are elected to the Town
Committee at the next caucus.
Are Town Committee members aspiring candidates?
No. Most members are there to help candidates and conduct Town Committee
business. We belong because we want to play a role in finding responsible
individuals who want to serve their community in public office. It can be very
satisfying and you will find yourself in a circle of friends who care as much
about your community as you do.
What happens at a Town Committee meeting?
A typical meeting will have most of the Republican elected and appointed
officials who represent Wallingford present to give a short report on what has
been going on in their positions. It can be very informative and they are always
glad to answer questions. Other reports include fund raising efforts, candidate
search efforts, information to voters, and reports by candidates.
Does the Town Committee run a candidate’s campaign?
No. Each candidate forms his or her own campaign committee. If they have been
involved with a Town Committee, he/she has met experienced people who are
willing to help him/her out. And of course a candidate has almost always gained
experience in what it takes to get elected by helping out in someone else’s
campaign.
How does the Town Committee help out a candidate?
Like a candidate’s committee, the Town Committee works to get contributions to
help pay for campaign expenses. The Wallingford Republican Town Committee
traditionally rents a headquarters that can be used by all the candidate
committees to meet and do work. The Committee will also pay for newspaper ads
and brochures that have information about all the Republican candidates.
How does a candidate get on the Republican ticket?
Typically, a person will announce his/her desire to run for office to the Town
Committee and ask for their endorsement. The Town Committee will consider the
candidate and vote as to whether or not they will endorse them. For municipal
elected positions, a Republican Caucus is held and the endorsed candidates, and
any other candidates who present themselves, are voted on by the Registered
Republicans present. For appointed municipal positions, the Republican Town
Committee endorsement is forwarded to the Wallingford Town Council for
consideration.
What is the process for candidates for State Representative or State
Senate?
These candidates for State Representative and State Senator also come to the
Town Committee looking for support and endorsement. There is a Republican Caucus
in each town to elect delegates to attend a caucus for these positions.
Is the process different for state wide positions?
Yes. For statewide candidates, delegates are selected by a Republican Caucus in
each town to go to the state convention and vote for who will be the Republican
candidate for Governor, Senator, etc. Also other party business is conducted at
each convention.
What sort of rules does the Town Committee have?
Like all non-profit organizations, we have by-laws that we follow and
occasionally vote to update. Our by-laws must not be in conflict with the
Republican State Central Committee by-laws. Also our local organization must
follow the by-law passed by the Republican State Central Committee.
Who is on the Republican State Central Committee?
Every odd numbered year the Wallingford Republican Town Committee members elect
delegates to vote at a district convention to elect two people to represent us
at the Republican State Central Committee. The 34th Senatorial District, also
the State Central Committee District, consists of the towns of Wallingford,
North Haven and East Haven.
How is the leadership organized on the Republican Town Committee?
One month after the election of a Republican Town Committee, the committee
members elect the following officers; a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a
Secretary and a Treasurer. The committee members in each district also elect a
District Leader. One week before the regular monthly meeting, the officers,
District Leaders, and invited guests hold an executive committee meeting to
prepare for the monthly meeting.
What sort of people get elected as officers?
It can be anyone who aspires for the positions and has the respect of the Town
Committee members. Our present chairperson is Barbara Thompson, our fourth woman
Chairperson in the last fifteen years. A previous Chairperson, Andy Bravo, was
born and raised in Columbia and English is his second language. Our
Vice-Chairperson, Bill Choti is a public employee and is a union member. Our
Secretary, Dawn Pello, is a young mother of two children. Our Treasurer, Jared
McQueen, is an accountant who makes sure our financial reports are done in a
professional manner.
Republicans are often referred to as the GOP. What does that stand for?
When the Republican Party was formed a decade before the Civil War, it was by
people from the Democratic Party and Whig Party that were opposed to slavery and
were looking for a way to end it. They came under much criticism in opinions
printed in newspapers. One of the names this new, upstart party was
sarcastically called was the Grand Old Party. GOP and Republicans have been
synonymous ever since.
