The following was prepared from a press release from the Wilton DTC. It has been updated with new information about Congressman Jim Himes’ plan to attend the event.
The Wilton Democratic Town Committee will kick off its campaign season this Saturday, July 28, as the three local Democratic candidates running to represent Wilton in the CT State Assembly–Will Haskell, Ross Tartell and Stephanie Thomas–will hold a joint event in Wilton. Haskell, candidate for the 26th Senate district, Tartell, candidate for the 125th House district, and Thomas, candidate for the 143rd House district, are planning a day of canvassing and phone banking to kick off their campaigns’ presence in Wilton.
They’ll be joined by U.S. Congressman Jim Himes and gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont, who will receive the DTC’s endorsement in his campaign for Governor of CT on Saturday as well.
The DTC is inviting residents to attend both the announcement and the day of action canvassing activities that the committee has planned. Volunteers and supporters will meet at Comstock Community Center (180 School Rd.), at 10:30 a.m.. Each candidate will give a brief speech about his or her vision for Wilton and for Connecticut. Volunteers will then receive training on the basics of canvassing before splitting into groups to knock on doors and speak with voters around Wilton.
The Day of Action is one part of a coordinated effort by each campaign and the Wilton Democratic Town Committee to elect Democratic representatives to the statehouse this November.
“Like our nation, Wilton is at a crossroads,” says Tartell. “Everyone I meet is disappointed in what we see in Hartford. How can we better manage and lead Connecticut in these challenging times? When we can find common ground in Hartford, we can unlock hidden opportunities to better serve our communities. This is how we get our state back on the path to success.”
“In 2016, Wilton residents voted for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump by 22 percentage points,” notes Haskell, who is opposing Republican incumbent Toni Boucher. “I think Wilton residents recognize that the GOP is changing, both nationally and in Connecticut, and that the Republican party may no longer represent Wilton’s values.”
“I am running because the values we hold dear are under attack and I want to build a positive future for our community based on those principles,” says Thomas, who petitioned onto the ballot to challenge incumbent Gail Lavielle.
The details of the event are as follows:
Volunteers should wear comfortable shoes, and no previous canvassing experience is necessary. All are welcome to come to hear from the candidates whether or not they plan to participate in the canvassing.