Stephanie Thomas’ Campaign For The 143rd District Takes Off

Press release from the Stephanie Thomas Campaign:

June 4, 2020 - Stephanie Thomas’s campaign for the District 143 Connecticut House of Representatives Seat has continued through the Coronavirus pandemic. After launching her campaign in February, she has rallied an enthusiastic group of volunteers and interns despite, or perhaps because of, the trying times.

When the campaign was launched in February, Thomas raised the necessary money to qualify for CEP funding, $5,300 in contributions of $270 or less, including individual contributions from at least 150 residents of the towns candidates are seeking to represent, within two weeks. When the pandemic struck, Thomas expected the campaign to go on hold as supporters dealt with the new challenges in their own lives, but the opposite was true.

Thomas has expressed her gratitude to the people who have shown up to help her campaign. “It’s so rewarding to see these people who are taking time out of their busy lives during this unprecedented election cycle time to volunteer and donate their time,” Thomas said. “Despite the pandemic and the economic issues it has brought, the people of Wilton, Norwalk, and Westport have shown that they believe in this campaign and I am grateful for their support.”

Thomas has also been surprised by the level of support from volunteers and interns. Since her campaign began, Thomas hosted two different volunteer kick-off events in May, which had over 120 people sign up and over 100 attendees. In total, Thomas has gathered over 150 volunteers to work remotely, as the pandemic makes traditional campaigning difficult and often impossible. Many of these volunteers have moving stories for why they chose to get involved in politics. One intern, Joseph Piccolo wrote in his cover letter that “In 2016, I was of an age old enough to follow the Presidential Election yet too young to have a voice...The anguish, the fear and the sadness that I saw my sister go through on that night in 2016 is exactly why I want a blue wave in 2020...A blue wave would mean more politicians in tune with the student loan debt crisis.”

Next Monday, Thomas will be holding her first “Thomas Talks” on her Facebook page in an effort to continue connecting with voters. Following the planned Wear Orange weekend, she’ll be speaking with Kara Nelson Baekey, Spokeswoman, Moms Demand Action and Melissa Kane, Selectwoman, Town of Westport and Chair of the Board, Connecticut Against Gun Violence. They will be discussing both current events and issues important to the district as a whole.

This press release was produced by the Stephanie Thomas Campaign. The views expressed here are the author's own.