Branford RTM Democrats Elect Tracy Everson as Minority Leader

BRANFORD, CT — This week newly elected Democratic members of the Branford Representative Town Meeting voted to appoint Tracy Everson (D-5) as Minority Leader. Everson will serve as the first female caucus leader in recent memory.

Everson lives in the Branford Point neighborhood on Mill Creek and is serving her second term on the RTM representing the 5th District. Baptized in town, Tracy's family has been a part of Branford for four generations.

She is a licensed agent at Century 21 AllPoints Realty. Her award-winning career as a journalist for 23 years focused primarily on covering politics in Westchester County, New York. In 2009, she changed course, doing communications work for two powerhouse female elected officials, a District Attorney (now Chief Judge in NYS) and a State Senator (now Senate President and Majority Leader).

"It is a true honor to be chosen by my colleagues as the Democratic Leader on the RTM, and as one of the first women in this role," Everson said. "Our strong Democratic team will serve as a check on Republican control in town. Residents deserve answers as to how our tax dollars are being spent. We will be your voice in town government."

Democratic RTM member, and former Minority Leader, Chris Sullivan said she'll be "a tremendous leader for our town."

"She has the intelligence, work ethic, and listening skills needed to lead the Democrats and serve Branford," Sullivan said.

The Democratic members of the RTM include:

• 1st District: Judy Barron, Executive Director of the Community Dining Room in Branford
• 1st District: Clare Torelli, former employee of the Branford Board of Education as a receptionist at the Branford High School for over 40 years
• 2nd District: Joshua Brooks, owner of Brooks-Stone, a local stonework company
• 2nd District: Peter Hentschel who was the co-founder of one of the state’s largest architectural firms, Tecton Architects in Hartford
• 3rd District: Adrian Bonenberger, an Airborne-, Ranger-, Reconaissance-qualified, and valorously decorated two-time combat veteran of Afghanistan and a published author
• 3rd District: Linda Erlanger, a licensed dentist who has worked in health care plan management, project leadership and consulting
• 4th District: Maryann Amore, a former career development counselor, director of a number of youth and adult workforce development programs, and director of a non-profit affordable housing developer
• 4th District: Ram Shrestha, a local small business owner with over a dozen employees
• 5th District: Tracy Everson, a realtor and former reporter and communications professional
• 6th District: Chris Sullivan, Executive Director of an environmental non-profit organization working across 43 municipalities in Connecticut
• 7th District: Donna Laich, a former high school teacher, coach, and school psychologist in the Wallingford public school system

All will be sworn in on November 16, 2021 and begin a two-year term.