Still Not

A Candidate

To the Editor:

Recall that I received the Newtown Republican Town Committee’s endorsement for state representative this summer, only to withdraw from consideration on the eve of the local convention. In light of Mr LaRocque’s decision to resign from the race, I have been asked by many if I would now consider running in this election. I decline to do so for the reasons set forth below.

At the time I withdrew my name, I cited three concerns: first, I wanted to focus attention on my wife’s probate primary; second, even though I had expressly reserved with Republican Town Committee and my running mate the right to run for the 106th when I became a selectman candidate and was subsequently elected to that position last fall, I nonetheless did not want to put my running mate, First Selectman Pat Llodra, in difficulty regarding a replacement for me if I won the state seat; finally, I did not want to put the party through a contested primary for the state seat.

While two of those concerns, the first and third, are now mooted, the second still remains. Because statute provide that the remaining selectmen fill any vacancy created by a departing selectman, and two selectmen from different parties would remain, I want to avoid that potentially deadlocked situation.

In addition, there are two difficulties created by the recent developments in the 106th race that make it an uphill — but not impossible — battle for any Republican candidate to succeed against the Democratic incumbent. First, many locally might unfairly tar the entire Republican party over these recent developments. Second, even if that were not the case, logistically it would be tough to ramp up a campaign at this late date in the season, even for me, probably the one best quipped to do it by virtue of having run last time.

For these reasons I reluctantly cannot avail myself of this revived opportunity and so announced to the Newtown Republican Town Committee, declining the nomination I received.

The Newtown Republican Town Committee subsequently endorsed George Ferguson to run for the position. George, a Legislative Council member, is a good friend whom I’ve known for years. He is well qualified and has my support.

William F.L. Rogers

Hattertown Road, Newtown                                   September 8, 2010