Greenwich Democrats Ready to Choose New Chairman

Greenwich Democrats are poised to begin their search for a new chairman who will lead its Town Committee for the next two years.

Two weeks after a crushing defeat in the First Selectman’s race, DTC Chair Frank Farricker announced he would not seek reelection to a fourth two-year term. Farricker challenged Republican incumbent Peter Tesei who received 75 percent of the votes in the Nov. 3 election, winning a fifth term as Greenwich’s chief elected official.

In making his announcement, Farricker appointed Greenwich Selectman Drew Marzullo as chairman of the DTC search committee.

“I think Frank asked me to head the committee because I am not interested in running for chairman,” Marzullo said. “He recognizes the need for new blood. People have very strong opinions about Frank. People may disagree with his tactics but what he did during his tenure was to put the party first. There’s no doubt he’s a loyal Democrat.”

Marzullo added, “I have to honestly say that we have wounds that have to heal. We have fractures that have to heal within the Democratic party.”

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This week Marzullo said, “I chose people who I think best represents a wide variety of skill set, alliances, diversity, political pasts, energy and a willingness to be open minded as to who this committee will ultimately recommend to Executive Committee.”

To that end the search committee members include Jill Oberlander, Elizabeth Sanders and Jonathan Perloe.

Marzullo and the committee is planning to conduct a membership survey “to gauge how people are feeling, what expectations one has and what traits one is looking for in our next leader.” Marzullo said he anticipates having a candidate to recommend to the DTC executive committee before March.

Photo: Greenwich Democratic Town Committee chairman Frank Farricker and Selectman Drew Marzullo on Election night Nov. 3, 2015. Credit: Barbara Heins.