Category Archives: News

GOP U.S. Senate Candidate Primary Debate Tonight July 26th 8:00PM

How you can watch it

(Photo: U.S. Senate Candidate Peter Lumaj (l) and State Rep. Mark Anderson)

Tune in this evening to watch the Connecticut Republican U.S. Senate Primary Candidate Debate with hosts Dennis House and Jodi Latina. The show begins at 8:00PM and is being brought to you by WTNH Channel 8 New Haven and its sister station WCTX.

All three candidates who made the ballot at the Connecticut GOP Convention in May will be participating. Barkhamsted RTC endorsed Peter Lumaj, State Party endorsed Themis Klarides and RNC member Leory Levy.

Many of our town and area residents have met Peter over the years as he’s come to our events and many of you voted for him in 2014 as the party nominee for Secretary of the State. Peter received almost a half million votes in that statewide race which included crossover and inner city votes along with Republicans. If you’ve missed any of Peter’s many recent radio appearances, or television appearances, go to his campaign website to check some out. Peter has been a contributor to Fox News Network, Newsmax and Sky News for six years. Peter also marched in our Independence Day Parade this July.

How you can watch the debate tonight since it is not airing on WTNH Channel 8, but on its sister station WCTX. If you’re a Charter Cable subscriber, Channel 9. If you’re a Comcast Cable subscriber, channel 59. If you have satellite TV, Dish or DirecTV, or do not have cable, you can watch it livestreamed on WTNH.com or on the WTNH News 8 Facebook page.

State Rep. Mark Anderson (R-62) Receives Convention Endorsement for Second Term

May 17, 2022

In the town of Barkhamsted this evening, one of four that State Representative Mark Anderson represents in the Connecticut General Assembly 62nd District along with New Hartford, Hartland and Granby, Mark was endorsed by State House Convention delegates to run for a second term.

The former State Representative for this district, William Simanski, who served five terms before retiring, was the Convention Chairman. Michael Stewart, Secretary of the Barkhamsted Republican Committee, was the Convention Secretary.

State Representative Anderson was nominated by the New Hartford RTC Chairman, Greg O’Brien, and seconded by Hartland’s delegate and former Chairman, Heather Gust Penman. Both speeches lauded the many achievements of Mark Anderson, including his distinguished military service to this country and his work as an officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency. The State Representative lives with his wife, Carole, in Granby. Mark has two sons and Carole has three daughters.

Former State Representative Bill Simanski (R-62) as State House Convention Chairman for Rep. Mark Anderson in Barkhamsted
Nominating State Rep. Mark Anderson, Greg O’Brien, New Hartford RTC Chairman
Seconding State Rep. Mark Anderson, Heather Gust-Penman, Hartland
State House Convention 62nd district for State Rep. Mark Anderson in Barkhamsted (photos BRTC Chair Juliana Simone)
State Representative Mark Anderson (R-62) after being nominated and addressing the convention delegation

CT Senate District 08 Nominates Lisa Seminara

May 16, 2022

Delegates from the Eighth Senate District of Connecticut voted tonight to nominate Lisa Seminara from Avon as their candidate to run for this office in November. Well attended by the eight towns and the three partial parts of Granby, Torrington and Harwinton, delegates drove through thunderstorm warnings to join this convention in New Hartford. A generous buffet of food was available to all attendees at this local brewery.

The winner of this open seat election will replace long-serving, State Senator Kevin Witkos, who was first elected in November 2007. Prior to serving in the Senate, Witkos (R-17) served in the State House representing Canton and Avon elected in November 2003, and before this was a member of his Board of Education in Canton. A police officer before retiring and becoming an employee of Eversource, Witkos chose to retire after so many years of public service.

Lisa was elected to her home town of Avon’s Board of Education in 2019. A licensed social worker with a Columbia University Master’s Degree, she is happily married to her husband and has been a resident of Connecticut for 28 years. They have three children. Seminara also founded the Avon Special Education Parent Teacher Association and started a non-profit to develop a parcel of land into a fully accessible playground and park with other community members which they donated to the town of Avon.

The New Hartford RTC Chairman, Greg O’Brien, nominated the candidate and the Colebrook RTC Chairman and First Selectman, Chris Johnstone, seconded. State Central member Brian Werstler put together the meeting. Barkhamsted RTC Chairman Juliana Simone is on the vacancy committee, and was joined by her fellow two delegates, BOF member Dave Moulton and Selectman Nick Lukiwsky.

The Republican Candidate for Attorney General, Jessica Kordas, also attended the convention.

State Senate Candidate Lisa Seminara (R-08) addresses the Barkhamsted RTC in April
Avon RTC members Stephen and Laura Hunt join the April BRTC meeting to support Senate candidate Lisa Seminara

BRTC Endorsed U.S. Senate Candidate Peter Lumaj is on the Primary Ballot

State Convention News and other updates

May 15, 2022

As the Chairman of the Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee, I’m very pleased to inform our website visitors that Peter Lumaj, Candidate for the United States Senate, received above the required votes needed to be on the primary ballot this August. He entered the race after confirming with other possible people interested in running, that they would not be seeking this seat against Richard Blumenthal. That said, his two opponents both changed their minds seeing the opportunity of a red wave in 2022.

One because the Governor nomination was going to 2018 gubernatorial nominee, Bob Stefanowski, though this was her original filing for office. The other because there was a prospect of winning despite never having run for anything before that required district or state votes, but being the new RNC representative after the long-serving Pat Longo retired, feels her contacts in D.C. will help her get the nod.

Our BRTC has been long time supporters of Peter Lumaj. An amazing individual, who came to America from communist Albania in his early twenties to find freedom in the U.S. at great personal sacrifice. He is a glowing example of a naturalized citizen who through very hard work became a successful man, husband and father who loves this country. A Constitutionalist, Peter supports all of the Constitution as written and the individual freedoms and rights it provides.

You probably already voted for him in 2014 as the State Party endorsed nominee for Secretary of the State, if you’re Republican, Unaffiliated or a moderate Democrat. His statewide campaign received almost a half million votes! More than any other candidate who ran for this office since 1994.

But, that’s a lot of votes. Much more than the six thousand average votes the State Party nominee on May 7th had to acquire to keep her State House District seat for twenty plus years. In fact, her best year vote wise as an unopposed incumbent, was the bump she got from President Donald Trump in 2016, at almost nine thousand votes, and she apparently remarked she didn’t even support Trump in 2020. The other opponent has received no votes failing to run for any office before. Another candidate who largely was anti-Trump before his nominating her to be the Ambassador in Chile, failed to get through the Senate nominating process twice. She is, however, a large donator to Republican campaigns she supports.

Peter Lumaj, is the United States Candidate who can beat Richard Blumenthal in November. His unique and long story is a direct contrast to what Blumenthal and the current administration are pushing. Peter’s message is to abide by the Constitution, keep federal government intervention with our independence at a minimum, and to bring Connecticut back to the tax free, prosperous, innovative and business friendly state it used to be.

To be fair, I am paid staff, and those of you who know me on either side of the aisle, know I would not work for anyone I did not believe in. In retrospect, most of my work for the GOP has been unpaid. Many tell me all the time that they miss my cable public access show “Conservative Chat” that was shown on Charter for fourteen years and aired in six towns. Thank you for this and your comments that it was a really well done half hour political interview program. There are maybe a dozen up on YouTube, including time with Peter Lumaj. Check them out. I may bring back the show in the next few weeks as there are many good candidates you all should consider voting for in August and November.

Want to see or speak with Peter? He will be at many upcoming events in our area and throughout the state. He has also been a commentator on Fox News and Newsmax among others for six years, can be heard regularly on local radio stations and has an upcoming interview with Dennis House this Sunday, the 29th. Check out his website: https://peterlumaj.com/

State Representative Mark Anderson addresses the Barkhamsted RTC

February 21, 2022

Connecticut State House of Representatives, Rep. Mark Anderson (R-62), addressed the Barkhamsted RTC on Monday, February 21, 2022. Mark gave a concise report on what is happening within the Connecticut General Assembly this short session, including his thoughts on the Public Health Committee’s Assisted Suicide Bill, Raised S.B. No. 88, and the Judiciary Committee’s new bill on assault weapons and public transportation, H.B. No. 5415, now S.B. No. 16 – “An Act Addressing Gun Violence and Juvenile Crime.” If you’d like to add your comments, there is a PUBLIC HEARING, Monday, 3/14 for written or public testimony. He also updated members on the Transportation Committee and the legislature’s agenda after COVID.

U.S. Senate Candidate Peter Lumaj on Dennis House February 13, 2022 10AM

Republican Candidate for the U.S. Senate, Peter Lumaj, can be seen in his interview on “This Week in Connecticut” Sunday morning on WTNH Channel 8 at 10:00 AM. Watch this segment with Peter Lumaj and veteran reporter Dennis House, in future interviews on television and radio, and meet him in person at our own Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee. Visit his website to learn more, donate or volunteer. http://www.peterlumaj.com

Republican MiMi Duran wins Only contested seat in Regional 7 Board Race (UPDATE)

Congratulations to Mimi Duran (R) the incumbent candidate for the Regional 7 Board of Education in today’s November 2nd, 2021 election. This race had the only contested seat on the Barkhamsted Municipal Election ballot. Duran, who was first elected to the R7 Board in 2013, is the Assistant Athletic Director and a Head Coach at the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury. She holds a B.S. from the University of Maine and an M.S. from Georgetown University. The Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee is pleased that voters recognized her years of service on the Board and wish to see her continue as an active member.

Mimi Duran received 401 votes and her Democrat Challenger, Micah Mann (D) received 340.

Other results that can be posted at this hour:

First Selectman Don Stein (D) 530

Selectman Nick Lukiwsky (R) 383

Selectman Ray Pech (D) 382

Town Clerk Holly Krouse (R) 594

Final results to be posted. Thank you to all of our town residents who turned out to vote today!

*More Results for our town Republicans (all democrat candidates who ran unopposed were elected to another term):

Treasurer Sally Roy (R) 566

Board of Finance (all full term):

Richard Winn (R) 533

David R. Moulton (R) 497

John Doyle Jr. (R) 519

Salvatore Tartaglione (R) 501

Alternate Scott Thomas (R) 521

Board of Education to fill Vacancy for two years:

Susan M. Larson (R) 505

Board of Assessment Appeals (full term):

Robert H. Brainard III (R) 503

BAA to fill Vacancy for two years:

Steven P. Blackburn (R) 504

Planning and Zoning Commission Five Year Terms (2022/2023):

Johnny R G Polderman (R) 502

Christina Lavieri (R) 525

Zoning Board of Appeals Five Year Term (2022):

Daniel F Lamont (R) 497

BRTC Update

The Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee always remains active even if a new post is not seen here on our website. The Coronavirus set our usual annual agenda back in 2020. Nevertheless, despite no town Parade on Independence Day which was canceled due to COVID restrictions on July 4th, 2020, no Riverton Fair in early October, Charter Communications closing the Winsted studio which taped our half hour political interview show “Conservative Chat” for fifteen years, and the surprising results of the 2020 Presidential election, there is much to share with our followers in review.

  • Many thanks to Peter Lumaj, Gubernatorial Candidate 2018 and Secretary of the State Candidate 2014 for being our keynote speaker at our biannual fundraiser held at the committee’s Vice Chair’s home in late September 2020. For those who have yet to hear Peter’s amazing and accomplished story, please put his name in a search engine. We are hoping he will run again in 2022 for an important office that would help our state of Connecticut tremendously. https://peterlumaj.com/
  • Peter’s former Campaign Manager for the Secretary of the State office in Connecticut, Brock Weber, announced he will be running for this same seat in 2022. The BRTC’s Chairman, Juliana Simone, worked on the 2014 campaign and can verify Brock knows everything there is to know about this office and would do an exceptional job if elected. As he tours the state campaigning, ask him anything about the duties performed as SOTS if you meet him, or send him a question on his website where contact info is listed. Simone has endorsed Brock Weber for the State GOP nomination. https://www.brockweber.com/
  • Some vacancies that came up on our local boards have all been filled with qualified people. The BRTC is happy to see long-serving Planning and Zoning Commission alternate, Tom Andersen, become a full seated member, though as he says in his own words, he wished it had happened any other way. We all mourn the loss of Greg Gordon, who died prematurely in June of this year. PZC Chair, Christine Lavieri, acknowledged how important a voice he had for so many years in terms of Barkhamsted’s town composition. Paul Duran has filled the alternate seat which was held by Tom. He has many qualifications to be seated. Susan Larson filled the seat of retired police officer Jill Kidik on the local Board of Education.
  • Veteran Registrar of Voters, Susan Day, had to retire the job she knew and performed so well due to moving out of town. The BRTC will always thank and respect Sue for so many decades of service and as a member of our RTC. We appreciate Lisa Andersen’s volunteering to replace Sue, but understand the complications that prevented her from assuming this important role. We now are pleased to announce our committee Treasurer, Rev. Steven Blackburn, PhD., as our new Registrar in training.
  • Coming up: Municipal elections Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021. Support our Republican ticket. All well deserved members of our town Boards. Please re-elect Regional 7 incumbent, Mimi Duran, who has an impressive background in serving and wants to continue her elected position on the Regional 7 BOE. Look for our campaign literature in your mail or post office box!

Thank you.

Barkhamsted RTC WINS EVERY RACE ELECTION NIGHT

Written by Juliana Simone

November 4, 2020

Reporting from our polling place the evening of Election Day 2020, November 3rd, our Registrar of Voters sent the final tally:

State Representative race:

Mark Anderson (R) 1414

Audrey Lampert (D) 971

State Senate Race:

Senator Kevin Witkos: 1396

Melissa Osbourne: 959

CT-1 Congressional:

Mary Fay: 1206

Congressman John Larson: 1135

President Of The United States:

President Donald J. Trump: 1228

Joe Biden: 1154

Thank you to all of our town residents who voted for our Republican ticket.