5 Questions with: Wilton’s Annalisa Stravato, RNC Convention Delegate

Wilton resident Annalisa Stravato is very engaged in the American civic experience. Most visibly, she serves as one of Wilton’s two registrars of voters. She’s also very involved with the Republican party on a local, statewide and national level. In Wilton, Stravato is a member of the Wilton Republican Town Committee. She is the former vice-chair of the CT Republican Party and now serves the organization’s State Central member representing the 26th Senatorial District. She was also recently elected by the CT GOP to represent Connecticut as the state’s Committeewoman on the Republican National Committee.

Last week was Stravato’s second time representing Connecticut in person as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. She attended the 2016 convention as well and was selected as a delegate in 2020 but with COVID canceling any in-person convention, the RNC members cast Connecticut’s votes. She has been on committees at each convention — Permanent Organization in 2016, Rules in 2020 (if it had been in person) and the Credentials Committee in 2024.

GOOD Morning Wilton asked the 24-year resident of Wilton to answer five questions about her experience in Milwaukee during this year’s RNC Convention. We will do the same for Wilton residents attending the Democratic National Convention as delegates next month.

1. Describe for people who may not know what your role as a convention delegate is. What activities take place and what is your work and responsibility? 

Annalisa Stravato: It is an exciting and great honor to be selected to be a delegate to the Convention. Connecticut has a total of 28 delegates. These delegates are awarded to the winner of the Presidential Preference Primary — 10 to the winner of the primary and three to the winner of each Congressional District. The three Republican National Committee members (National Committeeman, National Committeewoman and State Chair) are each automatic delegates by virtue of their office. As a delegate, you are bound and charged with the responsibility of casting your vote for the candidate who won the Presidential Preference Primary — in my case, [for] former President Donald Trump. At Convention there is a roll call whereby each state verbally casts their votes. The candidate becomes the nominee and gains access to the November ballot once he/she reaches 50% plus one of the total number of delegates.  

2. You were (relatively) recently elected to the RNC for the first time. What has that been like, in terms of the work to create the party’s platform and your part in that? There’s been much news about the platform changing this year (specifically with regard to what some have called “softened language” around abortion and same-gender marriage) and the direct involvement of the party’s nominee. Can you share anything about the experience thus far and your take on the platform and the process?

Stravato: The 2024 platform reflects American values, not just Republican values.  The platform has been revised to be very concise, understandable and one that candidates can run and win with. This platform is the first platform where the party’s nominee, former President Donald Trump, put pen to paper and was very involved in its drafting. It was the first of many signals that the Republican party stands united behind President Trump.

3. Who have you met at the convention that was unexpected or a high point? What has been the most exciting thing to happen or for you to have been a part of during the convention so far? And what are you looking forward to before it ends?

Stravato: There were many highlights and memorable, including standing with our State Chair, Ben Proto, when he announced Connecticut’s 28 votes for Donald J. Trump. Moments that stand out most are meeting U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, having [former NCAA swimmer] Riley Gains and former Ambassador to El Salvador Charles Glazer as guests of our party. Most exciting was having Linda McMahon as part of our delegation and listening to her speak at the convention. [It was] very exciting when she gave a shout-out to Connecticut from the stage.

4. What is different about the 2024 convention from any others you’ve attended in the past? How is the 2024 convention different from what you expected it to be like?

Stravato: The 2024 convention was both electric and exciting; it was historic and the first time since FDR that a political party nominated the same candidate for the third consecutive time. But above all the message of unity and Pres. Trump saying he wants to be the President of all Americans embodies Republican values.    

5. Reflecting on the recent news and the attempt on Pres. Trump’s life, what has it meant to be in Milwaukee at the convention and to see him and be part of everything? 

Stravato: First and foremost, I am thankful that Pres. Trump was not badly injured.  We must never forget the brave husband and father, Corey Comperatore, who was killed protecting his wife and daughter. I ask to please continue to keep David Dutch and James Copenhaver, who were injured but thankfully will recover, in your prayers.

I will never forget when Pres. Trump entered the convention hall Monday evening for the first time, the energy and unity of our party was electric. I was truly humbled to be part of such an historic event. As a legal immigrant who became a citizen just 13 short years ago and to have been asked to be a delegate and serve on the credentials committee by the President’s campaign is truly one of the greatest honors of my political career.