Lots of Reasons to Vote Row "A"

There are lots of reasons why we all, Democrats, Independents, and reasonable Republicans, should vote for Democratic candidates in Fairfield in this coming election.

Democrats have governed better. Just a few examples,

• Republicans were asleep at the switch when monopoles in Fairfield could have been nipped in the bud. Democrats pulled that chestnut out of the fire at the last minute and have led the battle against this invasive monstrosity threatening our Town
• Penfield Pavillion renovations were rapidly completed under the Democratic administration
• Seen the new lines on our roadways designating pathways for bikes and pedestrians? All part of the Complete Streets Campaign, an initiative of the late First Selectman Bill Gerber, to protect our pedestrians, bicyclists and children
• Charter revisions … completed and ready for the ballot when Democrats managed a bipartisan rather than the previous one-sided effort

The list could go on, but I’m going to offer one overarching reason to vote straight Row A, regardless of your political affiliation.

Unless you have drunk the MAGA Kool-Aid, this is our collective opportunity to send a message that we won’t abide with the creeping authoritarianism of the Trump/Republican cabal. Tuesday, 4 November (or early voting currently in progress VOTING INFORMATION | Fairfield DTC), is our chance to make a statement about standing up for our democracy: no Kings on our watch.

Now, you might say that’s for the Federal elections, not about my Town of Fairfield.

Well just remember, all politics is local. What we do here in Fairfield and in municipal elections across the country this fall will resonate as a clarion call reverberating into the mid-terms in 2026 and a tsunami for 2028.

Closer to home, if you think MAGA hasn’t come to Fairfield, let’s remember Melissa Longo, former chair of the Republican Town Committee (RTC), sitting member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and current Republican candidate for another term on the RTM. After Charlie Kirk’s murder, an outrage deplored across the political spectrum, her posts to the Democratic Town Committee (DTC) Facebook page and to her own Facebook page (Fairfield RTM Member Melissa Longo Called Out For Rhetoric After Charlie Kirk Killing | Fairfield, CT Patch ) were vitriolic, repulsive and acrimonious.

In answer to her bilious list of hatefulness, let me respond. I’m a proud, life-long Democrat. I strongly believe in my faith. I am not God hating. I don’t know anyone who would describe me as evil or vile. I have consistently practiced non-violent, peaceful advocacy to advance what I see as best policies and now to resist tyranny and oppression. I do not spew violence or riot.

When even the Republican Town Committee called out Ms. Longo's contemptable messaging as "divisive, hateful, and profane" and called for her resignation from the RTM and for her to withdraw her candidacy for reelection (what else could they do?), she basically told them to go fry ice, refusing to resign or withdraw.

As Democrats, we love our country and our Town as much as anyone. We are the opposite of “ … killing this town, this state and trying (unsuccessfully) to kill our republic," as Ms. Longo said in her posts.

We assume Republicans feel similar patriotism to ours, just with other ideas on the best ways to move forward. It is disheartened to learn, however, that Ms. Longo was “… truly grateful for the support I've received from my fellow RTC members and supporters from all across the state.” How can anyone, including some here in Fairfield, endorse her abhorrent positions?

Despite these provocations, we do not see Republicans as our enemies. Rather they are our neighbors whose different viewpoints we look forward to contesting at the ballot box and with whom we will work after the election for the common good.

So, there are many reasons to vote for Democrats in November (and then again in February). Let’s choose the ones that motivate us and turn out to cast our ballots for our Town and for our democracy.

Keith Bradley

Fairfield