Election 2024: Candidate Endorsements Oct. 22, 2024 — Current & Former Town Officials Make Candidate Endorsements

Every Tuesday leading up to the election on Nov. 5, GOOD Morning Wilton publishes endorsements of candidates made by public officials, civic organizations, interest groups or recognizable individuals. This information has been compiled from press releases and other information submitted to GMW by the campaigns or entities making the endorsement. These are not endorsements from GOOD Morning Wilton; GMW does not make any candidate endorsements. Endorsements can be submitted through the “Submit a Story” linkon GMW‘s main menu before noon on Mondays. Learn more about our election coverage guidelines and policies, and requirements for endorsements, here.

Lori Bufano, BOE and Former BOS Member, Endorses Kim Healy for State Rep.

I am pleased to support Kim Healy for State Representative. As a CPA and former auditor, Kim has extensive experience in fiscal responsibility. She is focused on local issues that are important to our town. As a current member of the Board of Education, I am acutely aware of local needs and how important representation is. Kim has been appointed to the Reading Leadership Implementation Council and is a strong voice for local control. I am confident that Kim will be an advocate for our positions while in Hartford. Please join me in electing this well qualified candidate.

Lori Bufano
Board of Education Member
Former Board of Selectmen Member

BOS Member Ross Tartell Endorses Savet Constantine for State Rep. and Ceci Maher for State Sen.

This letter reflects my personal views, not those in my role as a member of the Board of Selectmen.

I endorse Savet Constantine for State Representative in the 42nd District (Wilton, New Canaan, Ridgefield) and Ceci Maher for re-election in the 26th Senate District (Wilton, Darien, New Canaan, Stamford, Weston, Westport). Throughout the 35 years I have lived in Wilton, I’ve seen our town evolve, and I believe we need legislators with a deep understanding of our community who can make a meaningful impact in Hartford.

Savet Constantine has a strong background in education, having served as PTA president at both Wilton High School and Middlebrook School. Her hands-on work has given her a keen understanding of school funding needs, educational challenges, and how to support parental participation. Her years of local involvement have helped her grasp Wilton’s key challenges, including mental health, boosting business opportunities, and making Connecticut more affordable. Savet’s collaborative, bipartisan approach makes her an ideal representative for our district.

Ceci Maher is an incredibly qualified candidate. As CEO of Person-to-Person for 14 years, she responded to critical social issues, demonstrating the leadership needed to solve complex problems. With her background in social work and her experience with Sandy Hook Promise, Ceci understands the importance of education, economic opportunity, justice, and human dignity for all. She’s also a staunch advocate for reproductive choice and gun safety. In her first term, Ceci secured millions of dollars in state funds for the 26th District, and I’m confident she and Savet will partner to deliver meaningful results for our community.

We live in a time where national issues are increasingly affecting local life. The Republican Party seeks to impose restrictions on women’s reproductive rights, denies climate change, and refuses to confront the epidemic of gun violence. They continue to push false claims about voting security. The Republican candidate, Kim Healy, as quoted in the Wilton’s League of Women Voters candidate debate, falsely suggested that voter ID is not required in Connecticut. In reality, Connecticut Statutes mandates identification to vote, and a driver’s license is needed for absentee ballots. These national Republican talking points have no place in our community and impugn the work of Wilton’s Democratic and Republican Registrars of Voters.

Editor’s Note: The CT Secretary of State website states that a driver’s license or photo ID is not required to vote in Connecticut, “When you arrive at the polling place the poll worker will request that you present ID but if you do not have any, then in most cases, you may sign an affidavit in lieu of presenting ID. There are several options for identification, and they do not need to be a driver’s license or have a photo.” For additional details, refer to the CT Secretary of State website.

The Republican Party’s response to gun violence has been inadequate, offering only “thoughts and prayers” without concrete solutions. Additionally, the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade raises concerns about future attempts to limit women’s reproductive rights nationwide. Savet and Ceci will work to represent their districts to ensure that our community’s needs and values are represented in Hartford, not dictated by national politics.

Join me on Nov. 5 in voting for Savet Constantine for State Representative and re-electing Ceci Maher to the State Senate. These two extraordinary individuals are exactly what Wilton needs in the State Legislature to take us forward into a bright future.

Ross Tartell
Board of Selectmen Member

Former First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice Endorses Kim Healy for State Rep.

While serving as Wilton’s first selectwoman, it was clear to me we needed more state legislators who were knowledgeable and independent minded — legislators who weren’t afraid to stand up and advocate for common sense, fiscally responsible solutions rather than just vote the way their party leaders told them to vote.

Kim Healy will be one of those needed legislators. Over the last six years, Kim has immersed herself in state issues and advocated for or against legislative proposals in key areas, including housing and education. Also while serving as a selectwoman, Kim has gained additional knowledge of the issues and the needs of residents. Kim understands that education decisions are best made locally, that Connecticut suffers from a lack of energy independence, that transportation is key to jobs and economic growth, that legislative changes have contributed to police shortages, that the state’s unique binding arbitration method has led to higher costs, and that the state’s 8-30g statute has failed to solve the state’s housing shortage and thus requires revision. 

Kim understands allowing developers to avoid local zoning laws can translate into a poor result, such as the 40-unit one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment building under construction [at 12 Godfrey Pl.] in Wilton Center with planned under parking for tenants. It means those tenants and/or their guests will by necessity use other private parking spaces that are currently serving the library, restaurants and shopping. Wilton’s Planning and Zoning Commission appropriately pushed back on the lack of parking in the developer’s original application. In turn, the developer filed under 8-30g, stripping P&Z of its authority over parking and other zoning regulations.

Kim has a record of asking questions and challenging that which doesn’t make sense. That, combined with her experience and training as a CPA, means she will perform the necessary deep analysis before voting.

Kim is also willing to work with individuals from all parties and in doing so has recognized them publicly for their achievements, as she did with Gov. Lamont at this month’s Wilton League of Women Voters debate in Wilton.

And, you can trust Kim to keep women’s current CT reproductive rights. I say that as a woman who required two life-saving medical abortions due to ectopic pregnancies and who underwent multiple in-vitro fertilization cycles. Both Kim and I believe all women are entitled to the same access to reproductive healthcare that I had.

As first selectwoman, I endorsed Democratic, Republican and unaffiliated candidates. Like many of you, I support candidates who I feel are the best for the circumstances. Although I am no longer first selectwoman, I am an unaffiliated Wilton property owner with a vested interest in our state and town’s future.

Please vote for Kim Healy on Nov. 5.

Lynne A, Vanderslice
Former First Selectwoman
Town of Wilton

BOF Member Timothy Birch Endorses Savet Constantine

Savet Constantine is the best candidate to represent Wilton as its representative in Hartford. I have known and worked with Savet in the last few years. Her grasp of the issues important to this town is undeniable. 

Her previous positions within the Democratic Town Committee and the PTA has provided her with a broad view of the issues that Wilton is dealing with. Savet is a thoughtful, dynamic candidate. But what is most important is that she is a careful listener who absorbs a variety of views in assessing an issue. We need a strong and articulate representative in Hartford and one who will work with Republicans and representatives from other parts of this state. I am confident that Savet is the best candidate and wholeheartedly support her.

Timothy A. Birch
Board of Finance Member