East Haven Republican Town Committee Endorses 2026 Slate

Submitted by the East Haven Republican Town Committee:

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EAST HAVEN, CT — East Haven Republican Town Committee Chairman Eric Kropiwnicki announced that, before a standing‑room‑only crowd estimated at roughly 200 people, the Committee delivered unanimous endorsements for its 2026 slate at a May 20th Nominating Convention Rally held at Bistro Mediterranean on Main Street in East Haven.

The event, which combined a fundraising rally with the formal town convention, saw supporters filling every seat, lining the walls, and spilling out onto the sidewalk and into the street as Republicans gathered to back State Representative Joseph Zullo for re‑election to the 99th Assembly District seat and Alberta Vitale for Registrar of Voters.

“On a Wednesday night in May, we had Republicans and unaffiliated voters packing a downtown restaurant for a local town convention – that should tell you how energized this community is,” Chairman Kropiwnicki said. “Every nomination was unanimous, the room was overflowing, and people were still asking how they could get involved as they walked out the door – this is exactly the kind of grassroots momentum that wins elections.”

From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., attendees participated in a rally and Ad Book fundraiser featuring hors d’oeuvres and a buffet dinner, with supporters contributing through tickets, ad purchases, and donations made by cash, check, and via a committee QR code linked to its online contribution page. At 7:00 p.m., the event transitioned into the formal convention, during which the assembled members of the East Haven RTC unanimously endorsed State Representative Joseph Zullo for the 99th Assembly District and Alberta Vitale for the office of Registrar of Voters for the 2026 cycle.

Chairman Kropiwnicki noted that the size and intensity of the turnout reflect growing concern among East Haven residents about state and local issues – from affordability and public safety to education, and especially the proposed Tweed Airport expansion and its impacts on traffic, noise, flooding, wetlands, and long‑term land use in East Haven. He emphasized that the Committee’s united slate will focus on giving East Haven “a strong, consistent voice” in Hartford and at Town Hall and on holding decision‑makers accountable to taxpayers when it comes to any Tweed‑related legislation or agreements affecting the town’s quality of life.

“In unanimously backing Joe Zullo, our Committee made it clear that East Haven wants a representative who will continue to scrutinize every line of Tweed‑related legislation and insist on a transparent process that respects our residents and our neighborhoods,” Kropiwnicki added. He noted that Zullo’s record of pressing for public input and resisting last‑minute legislative maneuvers has earned him strong support among residents who want Tweed decisions made in the light of day, not behind closed doors.

Kropiwnicki also highlighted Alberta Vitale’s nomination, noting that she was recognized for five years of elections excellence in East Haven and has built a reputation for running fair, orderly, and accessible elections. “Alberta has proven that she understands the importance of proper election procedure, and she is committed to maintaining that standard going forward so that, no matter what changes come from Hartford or what issues dominate the headlines, East Haven voters can have confidence that every ballot is handled correctly and every vote is counted,” he said.

“This was not a routine, business‑as‑usual meeting,” Kropiwnicki continued. “When you have a convention so full that people are standing in the doorway and out on Main Street, it sends a clear message: East Haven is paying attention, and our residents are ready for new leadership and a more responsive government.”

Funds raised through the rally and ad book will support voter outreach, volunteer recruitment, and get‑out‑the‑vote efforts as the 2026 election season approaches. The East Haven RTC thanked Bistro Mediterranean for hosting the event and expressed appreciation to the many individual and business supporters who participated through ticket purchases, advertisements, and donations.