NORWALK — After a stinging defeat at the polls last November, the Norwalk Republican Town Committee on Wednesday evening sought to rebuild its ranks and chart a course toward future victories.
“We’re in a party rebuilt mode,” said John Romano, Norwalk RTC vice chairman and chairman of District D Republicans. “We want to have as many active, positive, moving-forward people as we can gather.”
Romano proposed adding 50, non-voting, auxiliary members — 10 per each of the city’s five electoral districts — to the 100-member Norwalk RTC to help with fundraising, reaching out to voters and placing campaign signs.
On Wednesday evening, however, attention was focused on the regular membership as Republicans endorsed candidates for two-year terms on the Norwalk RTC. Each district endorsed up to 20 candidates, who will be elected March 6 barring any primary challenges.
The new members and re-elected members, once seated in March, will play a key role in getting the party’s message out as well as recruiting and endorsing Republicans for election to public office.
District A Republicans on Wednesday evening endorsed 19 candidates, District B three candidates, District C 15 candidates, District D 16 candidates and District E 20 candidates for two-year terms on the Norwalk RTC.
About 50 Republicans attended the caucuses at The Norwalk Inn & Conference Center on East Avenue. While most were familiar faces and already sit on the Norwalk RTC, others were newcomers.
“It’s an exciting time. It’s going to be an exciting year for us,” said Mark Suda, a Norwalk police officer who ran unsuccessfully for an at-large Common Council seat last November. “We’re going to rebuild, replan, energize and, I think, in a year or two, we’re going to have a major difference in the (election) outcome.”
John Einstman, one of two newcomers endorsed to represent District A on the Norwalk RTC, traced his interest to last year’s municipal elections.
“I did voter registration at the last election, and I just want to get involved,” Einstman said.
Barring a primary challenge, Michael Harden, a District E who happens to be vice chairman of the city’s Parking Authority, will return to the Norwalk RTC after an eight-year absence.
“I’ve been on the sidelines and I just feel like I need to get back in,” Harden said. “I don’t know if I’m here to straighten things out or anything. I’m just here to help guide us to the next level.”
To be endorsed for service on the Norwalk RTC, candidates had to be registered Republicans for at least six months prior to Wednesday’s caucuses.
Norwalk RTC Chairman Victor Cavallo thanked the endorsed candidates for their interest in serving and read the purposes of the town committee. They include furthering good government, finding and nominating able candidates for public office, and helping Republican candidates win at the polls. He reminded the endorsed candidates of their responsibilities as town committee members.
“It is required that you make 60 percent of the town committee meetings,” Cavallo said. “We have a good turnout tonight, and I hope that everyone that is here will come to our town committee meetings, our events and activities, or to elect candidates and work to fundraise.”
Within three weeks of March 6, Cavallo said, the Norwalk RTC will elect its leaders for the next term. Earlier, he told The Hour he probably would seek re-election as chairman of the town committee.
Norwalk Republicans didn’t fare well on Election Day last Nov. 7. Republican mayoral candidates Andrew Conroy, a former councilman, placed third behind unaffiliated voter Lisa Brinton and Democrat Harry Rilling, who won a third term. Republicans won one of 15 council seats up for grabs.
Brinton attended the Norwalk RTC caucuses Wednesday evening as an observer.
“I’m just coming to see the opposition,” Brinton said afterward. “I’m concerned about a one-party system, so I just wanted to see what the other party is doing.”
Norwalk Democrats will endorse candidates for two-year terms on the Norwalk Democratic Town Committee during caucuses in each of the city’s five electoral districts Thursday evening. The Norwalk DTC comprises 55 members.