Changing of the Guard for Greenwich Republicans

Jim Campbell, the man who has led the Greenwich Republican Town Committee (RTC) for the past six years, is stepping down.

Campbell made the announcement that he “will not be seeking a fourth term as Chairman when the RTC convenes for that purpose in March,” in an email to RTC members on Thursday.

Campbell said Thursday afternoon, “Three terms is a long period to serve as chairman. It’s been hard work and enjoyable … the results have been very gratifying.”

Campbell, who is vice president of real estate for Frontier Communications in Stamford, also will not seek a seat on the Town Committee.

Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei said in a statement Monday night that Campbell’s tenure “has been an outstanding one.”

Tesei added, “Jim is known for his intellect and ability to articulate the issues in a clear and concise manner. He represented the Republican philosophy of limited government intervention into the lives of individuals and responsible fiscal policy from Greenwich, to Hartford and Washington.”

Tesei also said, “I am proud to have had Jim as chairman during the majority of my tenure as First Selectman and consider him not only a colleague but friend.”

Regarding the selection of his successor, Campbell said, “At Monday’s caucus, there will be the endorsement of 57 members of the town committee. They will have about two months to sort it out. There always are people interested in being chair.”

The 15-year member of the RTC added, “It’s best to give a new chair a chance to take the reins without my interference. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving, I just won’t be an actual member of the town committee.”

Campbell said the highlight of his tenure “is we have won every municipal and state office that we could win. I think that’s a pretty good record.”

Asked if he had any disappointments, Campbell said, “It’s not an easy job and definitely not easy if you can’t take criticism…but I don’t have any disappointments.”

In his email, Campbell wrote:

“I am writing to you today to thank you for your support over the last six years as Chairman of the Greenwich RTC, and to inform you that I will not be seeking a fourth term as Chairman when the RTC convenes for that purpose in March. At the caucus next Monday, I will not seek a seat on the new RTC that will be endorsed that evening.

It has been a privilege to serve as your Chairman for three terms. Together over the past six years you and I have seen Republican candidates win every municipal office we as Republicans could win in Greenwich -- a record of consecutive success not matched for many years. We have also continued for the past three election cycles a century-old tradition of electing only Republicans to represent Greenwich in the General Assembly. It was not always easy, but it is a record of accomplishment that all of us can be proud of.

I look forward to the continued success of the Greenwich Republican Party in 2016 and for many years to come, and I thank you again for giving me the opportunity to serve.”

With Campbell’s announcement, both political parties in Greenwich will have new leadership for 2016-2017. Two weeks after he lost the Nov. 3 race for First Selectman, Democratic Town Committee Chair Frank Farricker announced he would not seek a fourth term as head of the party.

Republicans will meet in each of the town’s 12 districts on Jan. 11 at 8 p.m.

Photo: Greenwich Republican Town Committee Chair Jim Campbell speaks on Election Night 2013. Credit: Barbara Heins.