Rodgers Opts To Protect Majority On Board Of Selectmen

Selectman William Rodgers, in a letter to The Bee September 8, said he ultimately turned down the chance to challenge Representative Chris Lyddy for the 106th District seat because he wanted to protect the Republican majority on Newtown’s Board of Selectman.

That board is currently comprises Mr Rodgers, Republican First Selectman Pat Llodra, and Independent William Furrier.

“Because statute provides that the remaining selectmen fill any vacancy created by a departing selectman, and selectmen from two different parties would remain [if Mr Rodgers was to depart to pursue, or in the event he won, the legislative seat], I want to avoid that potentially deadlocked situation,” he wrote.

The selectman also recognized that while not impossible, the race against the Democratic incumbent would be an uphill battle. Mr Rodgers expressed concern that locally, some voters might “unfairly tar the entire Republican Party over these recent developments.”

That remark referred to the departure of Chris LaRocque from the race, and his resignation from the local Legislative Council, following action on violations in his campaign and application to the Citizens’ Election Program by the State Elections Enforcing Commission (SEEC).

Mr Rodgers said the ability to mount a successful campaign at this late juncture would also provide substantial logistical challenges. The local selectman was previously considering another run against Rep Lyddy after being defeated by him in 2008.

But he withdrew earlier in the summer, opening the GOP spot to Mr LaRocque, so Mr Rodgers could support the primary probate judge campaign of his wife Moira. He also said at the time he was loathe to wage a primary himself against Mr LaRocque.

Mr Rodgers said he endorses the campaign of George Ferguson, who accepted the local GOP’s nomination to the 106th District race, calling Mr Ferguson “a good friend whom I’ve known for years,” and saying Mr Ferguson is “well qualified and has my support.”