Politics & Government

Greenwich Dems' Campaign Kick-Off Headliners: Blumenthal, Himes and Wyman

The Democratic Town Committee campaign kick-off at the Garden Education Center on Sunday featured the announcement of Beth Krumeich as the party's new candidate for First Selectman to run against Peter Tesei.

Other highlights included remarks by Congressman Jim Himes and Senator Richard Blumenthal, who spoke about how he is contemplating his vote on US action on Syria. He listed his other priorities as stopping sexual assault in the military, providing better privacy rights against surveillance, advancing health care and making sure that Connecticut gets a fair share to rebuild highways, roads and airports.

The Senator also touched on the issue of gun control. "We are going to continue to work against gun violence," Blumenthal said. "We lost the first vote on national background checks which 90% of the American people favor, the majority of gun owners and even probably the majority of NRA members. But we're going to win the last vote."

Himes spoke of the values of Democrats. "Government when it works, it really works. Talk to me about the GI bill. Look at the highways that Eisenhower built. It goes on and on," he said. "Our private sector benefiting from the research and development because we understand that some things are important to do as a country."

"Though we are the minority in this town – and  I sat on the BET – we set the standard for thoughtful leadership and civic engagement for the town that we all love," Himes said. "So really, I could not be more proud of this group of people and the folks you have put forward."

"I can't remember a time when the distinction between the parties has been so sharp," Himes added. "The idea that just because you're gay you can't serve the country you love in uniform or that you shouldn't be entitled to the same rights and legal status as those of us who are not gay. That is a profoundly un-American notion."

Marzullo spoke about challenges of parenting and drew a number of laughs. Becoming more serious, he said, "The time is coming when Greenwich is not surprised that an amazing Congressman like Jim Himes wins Greenwich. The time is coming that we are surprised that an amazing congressman like Jim Himes does not win Greenwich."

Three Democrat Board of Education candidates were introduced: Debbie Appelbaum, Samarpana  Tamm and Lisa Erickson. Outgoing Democratic BOE candidates are chairman Leslie Moriarty, Nancy Kail and Jennifer Dayton.

Also introduced were the BET candidates: Bill Finger, Sean Goldrick, Randy Huffman, Jeffrey Ramer, Mary Lee Kiernan and John Blankley.

The local elections are scheduled for Nov. 5, 2013.


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