Danbury Republican Town Committee Holds Caucus

**News release submitted by Danbury Republican Town Committee**

The Maron Hotel conference room was wall-to-wall Republicans Monday Night. May 23, 2022 was their Caucus to nominate candidates for State Representative in the 138th, 109th, 110th District, as well as Judge of Probate and Registrar of Voters.

Danbury Town Chairman Michael Safranek chaired the event, which focused on the future of the party and the need to engage new membership and candidates. The Danbury Republican Party stands poised for a new beginning he said, to field candidates who represent the ideals of Danbury voters. These were not your typical “political”candidates. In fact, several had not run for office before. Chairman Safranek went on to say, "I believe most citizens are tired of the worn out promises from these career politicians, who only do what is best for themselves. The time has come to get back to basics, to get back to the ideas this state was based upon, a Citizens’ Legislature, one that encompasses the average hard-working citizen and not a career politician, as we have to commonly seen. It’s time to restore common sense to Hartford."

The first person nominated was Mary Ann Doran for Danbury Republican Registrar of Voters. She was nominated by Town Clerk Janice Giegler, who praised Doran for her hard work ethic and considerable knowledge and experience. Doran thanked the crowded room and spoke about restoring common sense leadership to Connecticut, before it’s too late.

Then came the nomination for State Representative on the 138th District. This year the Republican’s nominated Rachel Chaleski a veteran member of Danbury Board of Education. Rachel received a thunderous applause and gave a rousing speech contrasting her and her opponents’ differences on education and how to move the 138th forward. Rachel brings new ideas and a positive approach, which is clearly needed

Then it was time to showcase the Republican’s newest members and candidates. The first of this group was Eric Gleissner, a lifelong and generational Danbury resident. Eric was nominated by Louise Michael who talked about growing up with Eric on Deer Hill and how Eric’s family has been a part of the Danbury fabric for over a hundred years. Eric got right down to business, talking about how he was once a Democrat but had to change parties because the local Democrat party left him. He could no longer just stand by and sit on the sidelines and watch the 110th District keep voting Democrat. That it was time for a needed change and he wanted to be that instrument of change, to better the district. A district he grew up in and his family had lived in for over 100 years. “The time was now, to make a difference.”

Keeping the theme for new candidates, next came the nomination for the 109th State Representative. The Republican Caucus nominated Jusy Fernandez. The nomination was made by Michael Safranek who spoke about Jusy’s strong work ethic and military background and how Jusy was the future of the Danbury Republican party. A party based on inclusion and reaching across the aisle to find the best candidate for each position.Once again, Jusy was a former democrat, who after seeing the mess the democrat party has created in this country, switched parties. Jusy said, “I didn’t leave the Democrat party, the party left me. I was welcomed into the Danbury Republican party and know this is where I belong. The Danbury Republican party aligns with my beliefs on education and community.”

The night ended on a very bittersweet note. It was such, do the retiring of Probate Judge Dianne Yamin. Judge Yamin had been Danbury’s probate Judge for over 30 years. She was a fixture in Connecticut’s Probate Court. During her 30 plus years in office, most often she had no challenger; a testament to her popularity but also the admiration the voters had for her. Her shoes were not going to be easily filled by any candidate. But tonight, was about moving forward and carrying on the tradition of a Republican Probate Judge in Danbury. Candice Fay gave a heartfelt nominating speech for the Republican nominee for Probate Judge, a new candidate in Dom Chieffalo.

When nominated, Dom spoke about his commitment to the Probate Court and all the facets it encompassed. He detailed his decades long experience before the Probate Court and how he would do his best to carry on the tradition and legacy of Judge Yamin and be a voice for those who needed one.

Chairman Safranek was greeted with an echoing applause when he talked about the belief that the Republicans were going to make gains in Hartford during the November elections. It was the right time to vote the Democrats out of office and restore sensibility to the Legislature. “We have seen what the Democrats have in store for this country and state, we cannot afford it anymore”. With that, a motion was made to adjourn and the night ended, with the campaigns only to have just begun.

**News release submitted by Danbury Republican Town Committee**