Blankley Hires NYC Firm to Run His Campaign for First Selectman

Democratic First Selectman candidate John Blankley has hired veteran political operative Christopher Smith and New York City-based Mercury Public Affairs, to run his campaign to unseat incumbent Republican Peter Tesei.

Smith will serve as Blankley’s campaign manager, and has political campaign, government and consulting experience, according to a statement released by Blankley. Smith has been involved in several  political campaigns in the tri-state area over the past decade.

“John Blankley’s commitment to Greenwich is evident in his commitment to his campaign for First Selectman,” Smith said in the statement. “John plans on running a vigorous campaign that will be reflective of the change that Greenwich residents want to see in their town’s leadership.”

Greenwich native Austin Finan has been named primary consultant from Mercury Public Affairs, to the campaign of Blankley who has served two terms with the Representative Town Meeting and owns a private IT company. Finan is Mercury’s director of government Relations.

“John Blankley has hired the best political strategists because he is the best candidate in this race,” said Finan.

“As a member of the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting, a small business owner, father, husband and a Greenwich resident of nearly thirty years, John has dedicated himself to improving the quality of life for all Greenwich families,” Finan said in the statement.

Blankley, who announced his candidacy in the spring, said, “I am building a professional campaign team because I intend on running a professional campaign that listens to the concerns of Greenwich’s taxpayers and is focused on moving our town forward.”

Blankley is expected to win the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee's endorsement at its July 21 nominating convention.

Tesei, a two-term incumbent, is expected to win the Republican Town Committee's endorsement at its July 20 nominating convention.