Mark the date: July 16

By Scott Benjamin

BROOKFIELD – The candidates for the Republican nomination for first selectman say they will run a friendly race based on the issues and will compete at a caucus but not in a primary.

Karl Hinger, 30, the vice chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, was recommended for the nomination on April 29 by the Republican Town Committee.

“I think a lot of Republicans in town respect the opinion of the Republican Town Committee,” he said regarding his chances of capturing the Wednesday, July 16, party caucus at Brookfield High School.

Austin Monteiro, who also was interviewed earlier this year by the Republican Vacancy Committee, said, “The caucus is the only thing. I want to involve as many people in this town as possible.”

Two years ago, Tara Carr, who was in her first term as first selectman, faced a challenge through a September primary from former Board of Education Chairman Matt Grimes.

Monteiro and Hinger each said they do not plan to extend the race to a primary if they fail to secure the nomination at the caucus.

Democrat Steve Dunn, who had been first selectman from 2015 to 2021, won the election in November 2023 to secure a fourth nonconsecutive term.

He and Other Selectman Bob Belden announced in March that they are running again and the local Democrats hosted a kick-off event May 1 at Twins on Junction Road.

Hinger and Monteiro said they will wage a friendly campaign for the caucus endorsement, focusing on municipal issues.

Said Hinger, “I think our methods and our experience may be the biggest area of difference.”

Hinger noted that in 2021 Monteiro was recommended for a seat as an Other Selectman by the Republican Vacancy Committee, then failed to get the recommendation of the Republican Town Committee and ran a campaign as a petitioning candidate for first selectman.

In 2024, Monteiro moved to Danbury and was the Republican nominee in the 110th sate House District against long-time Democratic incumbent Bob Godfrey.

“That kind of loyalty and trust with the town is something that sets me apart with Austin,” Hinger explained. “He has plenty of good qualities. But he has had different experiences. He is someone who moves around a lot. I do think there are Republicans in town who question his motives.”

Monteiro, a real estate asset manager, said he had “no comment” to Hinger’s remark.

Monteiro, 42, said he disagreed with part of Hinger’s comment in an April Brookfield Patch story that Dunn is “great at being the chief administrator,” but is “lacking” in “community engagement.”

Monteiro, who, like Hinger, is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University, said Dunn has been a poor administrator. He said he agreed with Hinger that Dunn has not kept the public informed on issues.

Hinger and Monteiro said they will utilize canvassing, telephone calls and social media to get supporters to vote at the caucus. Monteiro said he canvassed more than 3,500 homes in Danbury last year during his state House campaign. He added that he was instrumental in canvassing drives for the Republicans during the 2023 municipal campaign and shortly before the 2024 caucus for seats on the Republican Town Committee.

Hinger said he believes the candidates on the Republican Town Committee’s recommended slate will be actively canvassing in the coming weeks.

State Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding (R-30) of Brookfield has endorsed Hinger.

Harding and Hinger have both supported a town-wide moratorium on new construction as the updated municipal Plan of Conservation & Development is written. Some residents have expressed concerns regarding the recent increase in rental housing, particularly in the 198-acre Brookfield Town Center.

Harding and state Rep. Marty Foncello (R-107) of Brookfield attended Hinger’s kick-off event on March 25 at The Café. He also has been endorsed by Grimes.

Hinger, who is the inventory manager at Hamar Laser in Danbury, said he was pleased that the Republican Town Committee recommended Alan Donnelly for one of the other two seats on the Board of Selectmen. He and Donnelly serve together on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“There has been friendship and teamwork,” he said. “There is a lot of trust between us.”

Monteiro announced in April that Carr, who is currently an Other Selectman, would be his running mate, seeking another term on the three-member board.

He said he was disappointed that the Republican Town Committee did not recommend Carr for nomination at the caucus.

Monteiro said her victory in 2021 in the race for first selectman and her narrow defeat to Dunn in 2023 represent over the recent election cycles the best performances by a Republican candidate for that office.

He said that he and Carr have been potent voices over the recent years on a raft of issues, including the construction of a proposed communications tower on or near Long Meadow Hill Road. Monteiro, who briefly served as vice chairman of the Republican Town Committee in 2024, has appeared frequently in recent years during public comment at the regular meetings of the Board of Selectmen.

Brookfield Democratic Town Committee Chairman Shannon Riley said that she expects that panel will recommend a slate of candidates in June to be considered at the party caucus in July.

The Brookfield Republican Town Committee’s Recommended Slate Of Candidates For The July 16 Caucus:

First Selectman: Karl Hinger

Selectman: Alan Donnelly

Board of Education

Joy Greenstein

Erin Scalera

Board of Finance

Glenn Rooney

Brianna Ruocco

Michael Barnes

John Mascolo

Zoning and Planning Commission

Geoff Hunton

Gregory Petriccione

Dionisio Fontana

Gwen Arment – 2-year term

Zoning Board of Appeals

Liam Enea

Andrew Koehm

Terrance Petiprin