Fairfield GOP Calls On RTM Member Melissa Longo To Resign; She Says She Won't: UPDATE

UPDATE: Fairfield Representative Town Meeting member Melissa Longo has issued the following statement to Patch about her decision not to resign, after the Fairfield Republican Town Committee asked her to, following inflammatory social media posts in the wake of conservative advocate Charlie Kirk's murder:

I am beyond disappointed in the RTC leadership. In a time where we should be coming together, once again the RTC leadership is dividing us.

The outpouring of support from I have received from all over CT and my fellow RTC members has been overwhelming.
As the former RTC Chair, I can say with confidence that I would have handled this situation completely differently.

Not once had the DTC called for the resignation of their majority leader Elizabeth Zezima for her comments, doxxing people and harming local businesses with her daily commentary on social media outlets. The DTC never asked for Kevin Stark's resignation from the board of finance when he posted a picture with former RTC chair Sarah Matthews' head being used as a target for a whackamole game.

This is a weak move. This is not what leaders do. This is cowardice. Trying to silence me and those who speak the truth, no matter how it's delivered is not the answer. Charlie Kirk was assassinated for the exercising his First Amendment right to free speech.

Ironically, the "leaders" of the Fairfield Republicans seem determined to suppress our own freedom of expression. The first amendment belongs to us all, it's not supposed to be used as a double standard.

I am truly grateful for the support I've received from my fellow RTC members and supporters from all across the state.

I realize that using expletives in a moment of passion was not my best choice. Lesson learned.

Fairfield is my home. I. Will. Not. Resign.

Original post: FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Republican Town Committee has asked that Melissa Longo, a Republican in District 1 of the town's Representative Town Meeting, to resign immediately and not seek re-election, following Longo's "divisive, hateful, and profane" social media posts in the wake of the killing of conservative advocate Charlie Kirk.

Both the RTC and the Fairfield Democratic Town Committee denounced Longo's remarks, in which in one post referred to she referred to all Democrats as "faithless, God hating evil, vile people."

"Following our earlier statement condemning the recent remarks made by RTM Representative Melissa Longo, the Fairfield Republican Town Committee Leadership believes her actions are incompatible with the responsibilities of public service," RTC officials wrote in a statement to Patch.

They continued, "The people of Fairfield deserve representatives who lead with respect, civility, and a commitment to bringing our community together. Ms. Longo’s repeated use of divisive, hateful, and profane language has undermined public trust.

"Therefore, we are calling on Melissa Longo to resign immediately from her elected position on the RTM and withdraw her candidacy for the upcoming election. We sincerely hope Ms. Longo will make the right decision and step aside, allowing Fairfield to move forward with the constructive and respectful representation our community deserves."

Prior to the RTC seeking Longo's resignation, Fairfield First Selectwoman Christine Vitale issued a statement condemning political violence, in which she also included a passage calling on local officials to stop using "dangerous speech" when talking about "political opponents, neighbors and friends." She did not mention Longo by name.

"I do ask all elected officials of any party to join me in condemning acts of hate and take the opportunity to encourage all of us to treat each other with compassion," Vitale said.