Opinion: Democracy or Hypocrisy?

The following opinion essay is by the Fairfield Republican Town Committee:

Fairfield, CT, August 26, 2025 - In 2017, when faced with a vacancy on the Board of Selectmen, Democratic Town Committee Chair Steven Sheinberg had a lot to say about protecting democracy. At the time, he demanded a special election, declaring in the Fairfield Patch that:

“Fairfield residents are fed up with politicians who place politics above people… The people of Fairfield demanded a special election so that we can choose who finishes the remaining three years on the Board of Selectmen… Their actions threaten to undermine democracy. Fairfield residents must stand up to this abuse of power and demand that the special election take place…”

Fast forward to 2025. Yesterday, Mr. Sheinberg endorsed the exact opposite, supporting the appointment of a new First Selectman through a backroom process controlled by party insiders, rather than letting voters decide in a special election.

So, which is it, democracy or hypocrisy? In 2017, Sheinberg condemned the appointment process for “rejecting the will of the people” and warned that preventing a special election would “undermine democracy.” But today, he embraces the very thing he once decried: taking the choice away from Fairfield voters.

Fairfield residents deserve the right to vote on who leads our town. Democracy isn’t a principle you defend only when it benefits your party. It’s a right that belongs to all of us, all the time.

Support voter choice. Sign the petition for a special election, e-mail fairfieldpetition@gmail.com.