Jody Dietch Among 34 CT Candidates Endorsed By Ella's List

ORANGE, CT — Jody Dietch, a Democrat seeking the First Selectman's post in Orange, is among 34 candidates in Connecticut to receive the endorsement of Ella's List, a Political Action Committee that helps Democratic women become leaders in Connecticut. The group is named after Ella Grasso, Bella Abzug and Isabella Beecher Hooker, three great "Ella's."

Below is the text of the release from Ella's List:

Ella’s List started in 2017 as a way to help build a bench of women on the municipal level that can
become leaders of our state. Our PAC is named for three great “Ella’s” who were trailblazers in their time: Isabella Beecher Hooker, Bella Abzug, and Ella Grasso.

Ella’s List is committed to electing Democratic women to municipal office, a position and critical
stepping-stone for women first entering the political arena. In addition to financial support, Ella’s List provides our targeted candidates with access to female elected leaders and women of influence in Connecticut politics who offer valuable strategic advice and guidance.

In 2017 Ella’s List endorsed 32 women running for the top elected office state wide 28 of whom had won. This year we are endorsing 34. Out of the 34 women running for office, 55 percent said it was their first time running for Selectwomen or Mayor, with 74 percent stating they had held an elected office before running.

We are excited to announce our 2019 endorsees! The PAC endorsement comes with a donation for
those who need it, and social media campaign. We are so impressed with the amount of hard work and determination the women on this list are putting forth in their localities. We look forward to their victories on November 5th and urge all registered voters in their towns or cities to get out and vote for these outstanding women.

Below are the list of endorsees:

Berlin, Mayor Karen Pagliaro

Bolton, First Selectman Sandra Pierog, Ella Endorsed 2017

Bristol, Mayor Ellen Zoppo Sassu, Ella Endorsed 2017

Chester, First Selectman Lauren Gister, Ella Endorsed 2017

Colchester, First Selectman Mary Bylone

East Hartford, Mayor Marcia LeClerc, Ella Endorsed 2017

Ellington, First Selectman Peg Busse

Fairfield, First Selectman Nancy Lefkowitz

Greenwich, First Selectman Jill Oberlander, Ella Endorsed 2017

Haddam, First Selectman Brenda Buzzi

Kent, First Selectmen Jean Speck

Killingworth, First Selectman Catherine Iino, Ella Endorsed 2017

Litchfield, First Selectman Denise Rapp

Madison First Selectman Peggy Lyons

Middlefield, First Selectman Kindra Liptak

New Fairfield, First Selectman Pat Delmonico, Ella Endorsed 2017

Old Lyme, First Selectman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Ella Endorsed 2017

Orange, First Selectman Jody Dietch

Oxford, First Selectman Betsi Hellman

Plainfield, First Selectman Cathy Tendrich, Ella Endorsed 2017

Pomfret, First Selectman Maureen Nicholson, Ella Endorsed 2017

Preston, First Selectman Sandra Allyn-Gauthier

Redding, First Selectman Julia Pemberton, Ella Endorsed 2017

Sprague, First Selectman Cathy Osten, Ella Endorsed 2017

Suffield, First Selectman Melissa Mack, Ella Endorsed 2017

Trumbull, First Selectman Vicki Tesoro, Ella Endorsed 2017

Vernon, Mayor Claire Janaski

Washington, First Selectman Michelle Gorra

Waterford, First Selectman Elizabeth Sabilia

West Hartford, Mayor Shari Cantor, Ella Endorsed 2017

West Haven, Mayor Nancy Rossi

Willington, First Selectman Erica Wiecencski, Ella Endorsed 2017

Wilton, First Selectman Debbie McFadden

Winchester, Mayor Candy Perez, Ella Endorsed 2017