Republicans, Democrats to nominate slates for municipal election

By Scott Benjamin

BROOKFIELD -- Reportedly, former Gov. Thomas Meskill (R-New Britain) told friends that after being mayor of his hometown, a congressman and then the chief executive official of Connecticut, the toughest job he ever had was being mayor.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Greenwich) has said he considers the job of first selectman or mayor the most difficult assignment in Connecticut politics.

Some pundits have noted that municipal chief elected officials have a limited number of staff members and have to rely on decisions at the federal and state levels before they receive money for programs.

The turnout for the municipal elections in the odd-numbered years are usually well below the participation in the gubernatorial and presidential races in the even-numbered years.

Some recent first selectmen in Brookfield - there have been seven of them that have served in that position during the 21st century - have said they average more than 60 hours a week. None of them has lasted more than six years, since Republican Bonnie Smith lost in 1999 after 12 years in office.

However, there are at least three candidates seeking the position this year - first-term incumbent Republican Tara Carr, former Democratic First Selectman Steve Dunn, whom Carr defeated two years ago, and Republican Matt Grimes, a former chairman of the Board of Education.

It is anticipated that Carr and Grimes will have their names put into nomination at the Republican Party caucus, which is scheduled for Thursday, July 20, at 7 p.m. in Whisconier Middle School.

Local Republicans have told Patch.com in recent weeks that the nomination will probably be ultimately determined in a September primary.

Dunn, who is currently one of the Other Selectmen on the three-member board, is expected to not face opposition at the Democratic caucus on Monday, July 24, at 7 p.m. in the party headquarters at 499 Federal Road.

Both major parties will also be nominating candidates at their caucuses for the other municipal offices that will be on the November 7 ballot.

Based on November 2022 figures from the Secretary of the State's office, Brookfield has 5,966 unaffiliated voters, 4,081 Republicans, 3,453 Democrats and 246 registered with minor parties.