Infighting Among Greenwich Democrats Creates Controversy for Party’s Nominations

What began as a battle cry for party unity turned into an embroiled debate among Democratic Town Committee members Wednesday night at Town Hall.

DTC members gathered to nominate candidates for this fall’s election, but shortly after DTC Chairman Frank Farricker called for unity within the party, members of the DTC questioned a motion that would allow the membership to endorse a slate of candidates for the fall election at the May meeting – an unprecedented move by Democrats in Greenwich.

“In years past, we’ve often struggled to find candidates to fill seats,” Farricker said, noting that the number and quality of this year’s candidates is a “sign of health and vitality” within the Democratic Party and “the eagerness of so many to proudly announce their candidacy on the Democratic ticket.”

“Let’s take our gains and move them forward,” Farricker said, “and utilize our most precious asset – unity.”

Farricker then made a motion to endorse an official slate of all races at Wednesday’s meeting – more than two months before the party's convention. Farricker said the DTC would then officially endorse the slate at its July meeting. Both Republicans and Democrats must endorse a slate of candidates between July 19 and July 26, according to state election laws.

In response to Farricker’s motion, longtime party member Edward Krumeich accused Farricker of breaking state law. “This comes as a big surprise. I think what you’re trying to do is out of order,” Krumeich said.

However, Farricker said he consulted with Nancy DiNardo, chair of the state Democratic party, and Secretary of State Denise Merrill, who said the only legal vote on a slate would take place during the July 19-26 timeframe, but said the party could endorse a slate sooner.

“What you’re trying to do is unlawful,” Krumeich continued.

Farricker said that the DTC can still reject the slate in July, and would allow for nominations from the floor. “We would not be legal if we were to allege in any respect that tonight’s vote is final,” he said, calling it a “perfectly straightforward way to endorse candidates.”

Krumeich made a motion to appeal Farricker’s ruling that the DTC is in accordance with the law if it were to endorse a slate before the July timeframe.

Several members questioned whether DiNardo and Merrill’s ruling was put in writing. Farricker said it hadn’t, leading to further debate among Democrats.

“We didn’t think it was contentious,” Farricker said.

DTC member Beth Krumeich told the DTC she thought Farricker’s motion was unnecessarily fast-tracking endorsements.

“Our duty tonight is to show an intent to endorse. I’m not sure that to wrap it up in a slate really helps us,” Krumeich said. “We’re trying to lock this up too quickly.”

Farricker said the intent in endorsing a slate early is to give Democrats more time to campaign and get their respective messages out to the electorate.

“In many years past we have found ourselves behind in trying to get our message forward,” Farricker said, ending up “swamped with the Republicans’ message in July. “Endorsing a slate earlier would “maximize candidates to get a head start,” he added. “It’s good for the party and good for the town.”

In a vote to appeal Farricker’s ruling to hold a slate endorsement before the July convention, the body voted 35-26, upholding the chairman’s motion to vote on a preliminary slate that would be officially voted on in July. The body then voted 34-23 to endorse the Democrats' slate of candidates that will be officially voted on between July 19-26.

The DTC endorsed candidates for tax collector, town clerk, the Board of Education and the Board of Estimate and Taxation. Official results were not available before deadline.  Check back on Patch to see who the Democrats endorsed for the fall election.