To The Editor:

As a candidate, I am not entitled to anything.

I don’t expect anyone to hand me the privilege of leadership. Not party insiders. Not elected officials. In this beautiful but messy democracy of ours, only voters have that power.

Public leadership is earned through every conversation, every handshake, and every tough question. That accountability is something I welcome wholeheartedly.

And if I have the privilege of representing Newtown, I will never forget that I work for you. Every Newtowner is my boss.

I was born and raised in Connecticut in a family with no political connections and no wealth to fall back on. I was the first in my family to attend college, graduated from West Point, and received my Army commission with a handshake from President Obama. I then served eight years on active duty as an attack helicopter pilot, leading soldiers in combat in Afghanistan and earning a Bronze Star.

And yes, I know being a young, gay attack helicopter pilot running for office in Newtown is not the traditional candidate resume. But being different has never scared me!

So ask yourself: do you feel well represented by a MAGA Republican who handily won reelection last time? Should Democrats simply sit back and hope for a blue wave? We shouldn’t, and we can’t.

In 2024, Democrats lost this race by more votes and by a larger margin than any Democratic candidate since 2016.

That’s a fact, and Mitch Bolinsky won his seventh term in Hartford. We cannot keep running the same playbook and expect different results.

Think about the young people in our community struggling with mental health challenges. Think about women seeking reproductive healthcare. Think about families crushed by childcare costs and residents opening electricity bills that go up every month.

These are the reasons I’m running.

After leaving the Army, I joined Governor Ned Lamont’s team and helped low-income residents, single parents, veterans, and unemployed workers secure well-paying jobs. We need a candidate who can not only win, but who will roll up their sleeves and put in the real work for Newtown.

We must expand childcare tax credits, support housing solutions that work for Newtown, reduce traffic congestion, lower energy costs, defend women’s rights, and fight the gun violence epidemic with the seriousness it deserves.

I’m honored to have the support of most elected Democrats serving on our Legislative Council and Board of Finance, along with our First Selectman, because of what that support represents: trusted Newtown leaders know I will fight for Newtown’s fair share in Hartford.

On May 26 at 6 p.m. at the Newtown Middle School auditorium, Democrats will decide about the future of this town and the future of our party.

Whether I have earned your support or not, I hope you’ll join us, because this campaign is about more than one candidate. It is about whether Democrats are ready to work harder and finally defeat Mitch Bolinsky.

I have fought for our country. I’m ready to fight for Newtown.

Brandon Moore

Democratic Candidate, House District 106

Newtown