Wilton Republicans Support new State Chair Jerry Labriola

The support you've given me these last many months is humbling. I have learned much and met some terrific people - many of whom I am proud to now call friend.

The campaigns for Chair have seen some rough patches, but the final vote was a clear indication of the unity we want and need to move our party forward to beat our real opponents - the DEMOCRATS.

I want to thank all of you for your patience and honest consideration of my campaign, my opponents for adding some terrific ideas to our playbook and my friends who worked harder than I. But most importantly I want to thank my family who allowed me the latitude to pursue the chairmanship. Their unwavering support and unending encouragement I am far from deserving of.

Jerry, Themis, Art & Gary are an outstanding team. I have pledged to them my full support and participation in our future, and am committed to being an honest broker of our work going forward. 

Below is a message from Jerry. Please join me in supporting him, his team and our Party.

Best Regards,

Al Alper - Wilton RTC Chairman

[Ed note: the following is a letter from Jerry Labriola]

Fellow Connecticut Republicans, 

Last night I was both honored and humbled to be elected the Chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party for the next two years.  I thank former-Chairman Christopher Healy and his staff for their tireless service over the past four years. I also wish to thank the other candidates in the race for this office - each of whom contributed ideas and solutions that must be included in our plans to move the party forward. Our party faces some daunting challenges and it is up to us as stewards of this great enterprise to address them with enthusiasm, intelligence and, most of all, unity.  As I've said during the campaign, winning elections is about addition, not subtraction. 

To show the world that Connecticut Republicans are united, I hope that you will join me in making a secure online contribution to our party by clicking here! 

The committee also elected a wonderful new slate of officers. I am thrilled to have State Representative Themis Klarides of Derby as my Vice Chairman. Now serving her seventh term, Themis is the Deputy Republican Leader of the State House and has been a constant source of support for Republican candidates across the state.

We also have a new Secretary in Norwalk RTC Chairman Art Scialabba. Art has succeeded in turning the city of Norwalk into a place where Republicans routinely win, and I know he will bring that same expertise to the state level.

Finally, I’m proud to announce that Gary Schaffrick of Bristol has succeeded me as our Treasurer. Gary’s decades of service to our Party and unmatched work ethic make him an invaluable asset to our team.

You can show your support for this great new leadership team by making a contribution and helping us hit the ground running!

The Democrats are wasting no time in declaring us “dead.” This very day, Chairwoman DiNardo was good enough to welcome me by stating that Republicans “pander to fringe groups” and are “unsupportive of ideas that appeal to vast majorities in Connecticut.” Apparently Ms. DiNardo has us confused with Governor Malloy! There is no doubt in my mind that the voters of Connecticut and the nation, have had enough of failed Democrat leadership—and on Friday, when all the Democrat’s tax hikes go into effect, that 38% popularity may be remembered as a high-water-mark for the Governor and his defenders.

To paraphrase a great Nutmegger, ‘the reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated.’ We have tremendous momentum at the grassroots level, where we gained 15 new seats in the State House and two in the State Senate over the past year. We have the majority of mayors and first selectmen in Connecticut. Our farm team is now poised to make the jump to the major league, and I’m excited to do what I can to facilitate that transformation.

With your help and support we can set this party on a path to victory. Won’t you help by making a contribution today?

Sincerely,

Jerry Labriola, Jr.

State Party Chairman

Connecticut Republicans

[Ed's note: Go ]