Goldstein wins another GOP congressional primary

By Scott Benjamin

GREENWICH – There are boxes of pizza, a bowl with a garden salad, cookies and donuts on the counter and T-shirts and banners that read, “Put A Doctor In The House.”

The St. Lawrence Society attracts people of all political stripes, but this night about 25 supporters are awaiting results of a primary in the last congressional district that elected a Republican in Connecticut.

At 9:25 p.m. the news organizations have called the race for Michael Goldstein, an eye doctor and attorney who has lived in Greenwich for39 years. He has defeated Daniel Miressi of Norwalk, who had sought the nomination two years ago and t hen withdrew after the first ballot at the convention.

It is his fourth bid for the seat in the Fourth District, which Democrat Jim Himes initially captured in 2008 as the Great Recession decimated the economy. Chris Shays of Bridgeport, who served for more than 21 years, is the last Republican to serve in the U.S. House from Connecticut.

In his victory speech he warns of the perils of a Democratic majority in the U.S. House, where some extreme Democratic Socialists of America candidates may be presiding.

He captured the GOP nomination two years ago and then lost to Himes in a landslide.

“We didn’t have the resources to do what we have to do,” Goldstein now says.

Can he bring Miressi and his supporters on board?

Goldstein said two years ago, he outpolled former financial executive Bob MacGuffie of Fairfield easily in the primary after MacGuffie had annexed the convention nomination by just eight delegates.

Goldstein said that afterwards MacGuffie wouldn’t speak to him.

Regarding Miressi’s support, Goldstein said, “Time will tell.”

In four attempts, this is the first time that Goldstein has garnered the convention and primary nominations in the 17-municipality district, which stretches from Greenwich to Oxford.

It is the region of Connecticut where the economy and population are growing.

“I got to know a lot of the selectmen,” he explains regarding his improved performance. “I’ve been to a lot of the events.”

With a meager turnout in the primaries, should they be open to unaffiliated voters?

“No,” exclaimed Goldstein. “The primaries could easily be manipulated.”

Fellow Greenwich resident Ryan Fazio, the Republican nominee for governor, has underscored affordability as his focus.

What can be done at the federal level?

Goldstein said he has longed called for reducing mandates to lower health care costs. He also said he would seek to “expand natural gas pipelines into Connecticut.”

It has been 13 months since Republican President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Has it been effective?

Goldstein commented, “The no tax on tips, the no tax on overtime are good examples of how you can incentive people and increase their income.”

He said it may take time to evaluate other components of t he legislation. Goldstein said Democrat Joe Biden, Trump’s predecessor, signed the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 and it had “the opposite effect.”

Republican former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey said recently on ABC’s ‘This Week’ that Republicans are scared of Trump in the midterm elections, since his poll ratings have plummeted.

Goldstein said he is not concerned.

“In the end, it is the candidate that has to appeal to the voters,” he explained. “They have to trust that they are the best candidate for the job.”