Cheshire Councilor To Challenge Fishbein In 90th District Race

CHESHIRE, CT — While he said he had no intention of running for office this year, Cheshire Town Councilor Jim Jinks has announced his candidacy for state representative in the 90th District following incumbent Craig Fishbein’s retweet of a racist meme over the weekend. Fishbein, a Republican who is also a member of the Wallingford Town Council, has been criticized by both Democrats and Republicans this week. The 90th District represents Cheshire and Wallingford.

Fishbein retweeted a meme on Saturday that depicted a picture of former Vice President Joe Biden speaking at an event with the text: "If you aren't setting fire to buildings… Then You Ain't Black!"

House Republican Minority Leader Themis Klarides quickly condemned the retweet on Monday and Fishbein apologized. Since then, an online petition on Change.org that calls for Fishbein to resign from both posts has garnered more than 3,700 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.

The Wallingford Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to censure Fishbein for the retweet.

Jinks, who was elected to the Cheshire Town Council in the 2nd District last November as a Democrat, said he had no intention of running for office this year because he enjoys serving the community as town councilor.

“This has been a difficult time for many in our community,” Jinks wrote in a post on Facebook. “Over the past few days I’ve heard from many Cheshire and Wallingford residents that feel that their voices are not heard. They have called, sent a text or emailed asking me to run, to represent them and be their voice. Ultimately, this moment demands more from all of us.

“Today, I announce my campaign for State Representative in the 90th State House District. I’m running because after hearing their stories, I’m compelled to be the voice of the many who feel unheard. I’m running because I can’t let racism and bigotry stand. It’s not who we are and has no place in our community.”

Jinks said that Fishbein retweeted the racist sentiments at the “very moment this country is being torn apart.”

“In a time where we need leaders to listen with open minds and empathy and help bring our community together, his actions were incredibly divisive,” Jinks said. “The people of Cheshire and Wallingford deserve much better. They deserve a representative that works to bring people together. Cheshire and Wallingford residents deserve a leader that will always keep their needs first and foremost in mind. At the very least we absolutely deserve a leader that doesn’t judge others by the color of their skin, their religion, their sexual orientation or their socio-economic status.”

See also:

• Wallingford Lawmaker Criticized For Racist Retweet, Apologizes
• Wallingford Town Council Censures Fishbein For Racist Retweet