Capeci Headlines Republican Ticket, Hopes To Regain Majorities
Newtown Republican Town Committee (NRTC) held its caucus Tuesday night, July 22, to officially endorse a full slate of municipal candidates for the upcoming November election. Leading the ticket is incumbent First Selectman Jeff Capeci, who will be joined by Charlie Gardner as his running mate for the Board of Selectmen.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve Newtown for the past 20 years, the last two as First Selectman,” said Capeci. “I am seeking another term because there is more work to do.”
Capeci said that while for the majority of his political career he has served on boards with majorities, it was “different being a minority First Selectman.” Capeci served with Democrats Dan Cruson and Michelle Embree Ku on the Board of Selectmen, while Democrats controlled other key boards like the Legislative Council and the Board of Education.
“I don’t want that to happen this year,” said Capeci. “I want long coattails to carry all these wonderful people [the other Republican candidates]. The whole town went red four years ago. I want to repeat that.”
Capeci has served on the Legislative Council, including several terms as chair, the Charter Revision Commission, as a selectman, and is the incumbent First Selectman.
Gardner said that “a lot of good things are coming to fruition” and “we want the right people at the top.”
Gardner was previously on the Legislative Council and also served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the American Rescue Plan Committee.
NRTC Chair Phil Carroll praised the leadership of Capeci and Gardner.
“We are thrilled to have both Jeff and Charlie running. I served with them on the Legislative Council when they were Chairman and Vice Chairman, and they accomplished a lot of great work for the town,” Carroll said. “We’re aiming for a Republican majority across boards, like in 2021, so we can begin to address the record-high tax increases imposed by Council Democrats over the last two years. People really felt the impact when tax bills arrived last month.”
The endorsed Republican slate features a combination of experienced leaders and enthusiastic first-time candidates.
“We’re fortunate to have so many qualified and committed individuals stepping up to serve, especially in a climate where public service can often be challenging and thankless,” said NRTC Vice Chairman Jenn Larkin.
Throughout the caucus, candidates and committee members emphasized priorities such as responsible community planning, improving government efficiency without compromising services, ensuring public safety, and smart spending to deliver excellence in public education to Newtown students.
Other candidates named at the caucus include:
For Town Clerk, incumbent Debbie Aurelia Halstead.
For Legislative Council, District 1, Derek Pisani, Brian Leonardi, and Michele Buzzi; District 2, Matt Mihalcik, Jennifer Nicoletti, and Donna Rahtelli; and District 3, Ben Ruben, Tracey Pertoso, and John Zachos.
For Board of Finance, Steve Goodridge, Amybeth Laroche, Barney Molloy, and Phil Carroll.
For Board of Education, Nina Ruben, Don Ramsey, and Shannon Tomai.
For Board of Assessment Appeals, Kadri Graffeo.
For Planning & Zoning, Roy Meadows and Gregory Rich; Planning & Zoning alternates, Will Drew and David Landau.
For Zoning Board of Appeals, James O’Connor and Rachel Rowan; to fill a two year term vacancy, Dennis Bloom.
For Zoning Board of Appeals Alternates, Sue Goodridge and Pete Wlasuk.
For Police Commission, Scott Cicciari and Keith Torreso.
For Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers, Melanie Mattegat.
The Republican Town Committee will be introducing its full slate of candidates to the community in the coming weeks with their first opportunity being at their Red White & Brew event at 5:30 pm Tuesday, August 5, at Reverie Brewing.
Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.
I’m proud to support Jeff Capeci for another term as First Selectman. Jeff has spent over two decades serving Newtown with dedication, thoughtfulness, and a steady hand. Over the last two years, he’s stayed focused on what matters: fiscal responsibility, public safety, and good governance. He doesn’t seek the spotlight—he does the work.
Newtown has a chance to elect a team with proven experience and a clear vision.
If you want smart planning, efficient government, and common-sense leadership, this is the team to vote for in November.