Tag Archives: Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee

News

Supporters Come Out For Retirement Party In Thanks To State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-08)

Written by Juliana Simone

February 22, 2023

Canton, CT – Long-serving Connecticut General Assembly member, Kevin Witkos, walked into a surprise party on a Saturday afternoon thrown by his wife, Esther, at the Legitimus Brewery. Dozens were on hand to wish the former Senator, House Representative and Canton Board of Education member well. The guest list could have been much longer, but Esther decided to keep it to a smaller group of people she felt served Kevin well while in office or were friends and relatives.

Catered buffet food was in abundance along with a dessert table. Gift bags for guests were on a seperate station. The open bar included fresh beer on tap and spiked cider.

Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee Chair, Juliana Simone, was among the guests who has a long history of helping Kevin transition to the State Senate as well as making sure he was re-elected each time he ran for another term. He was a regular participant in the popular Barkhamsted Independence Day Parade and also would always spend time at the BRTC Riverton Fair booth in October talking to voters. Other guests included veteran State Representative John Piscopo, Colebrook Chairman Chris Johnstone, and long-serving staff members. BRTC VC Dave Moulton also dropped by along with former Waterbury Alderman Jerry Padula, who was a DCP legislative liason and has been a staff attorney with the DCP for fourteen years.

Popular among not only Republicans, he received votes from Independents and Democrats, for his devoted work to the eleven towns he served in the eighth district, his moderate views and genuine friendly personality.

Altogether, Witkos served three terms in the House of Representatives which serves the towns of Canton and Avon (District 17), and seven in the Senate. His highest achievement in the State Senate was the Deputy Senate Republican Leader, second in command to Senate Minority Leader, Len Fasano. Because for the first time in decades the Senate was tied in terms of Elected Senators, there was no majority or minority leader. Both parties had co-chairs for this two year cycle.

Barkhamsted Chair Simone was a Witkos Senate Republican Committee appointee on Public Safety and Security in 2017, which had two of the largest proposals that session which would allow a third casino in the state, and the crumbling concrete foundation issue which left many homeowners with damaged homes.

Witkos, after serving over 25 years as a Sergeant with the Canton Police Department before retiring, started additional part-time work with the utility company, Eversource, where he currently works today. He also tried his hand as a restaurant owner in the Collinsville section of Canton.

Witkos gave a brief but heartfelt speech to his guests expressing how fast twenty years of service flew by. We all wish Kevin well in his future endeavors and thank him for his dedication to the eighth district.

Kevin and Esther Witkos with the owners of Brewery Legitimus

Veteran State Representative John Piscopo (R-76) and Retired Veteran State Legislator Kevin Witkos

Retired Veteran State Senator Kevin Witkos and Barkhamsted Chair Juliana Simone
Colebrook Chairman Chris Johnstone and his wife at the event for Retired State Senator Kevin Witkos
News

Barkhamsted Wins the Republican Ticket

November 08, 2022

Written by Juliana Simone

Results from tonight’s Election Day Registrar of Voters vote for all candidates on the town ballot as follows:

State Rep. Mark Anderson (R-62) – 1057; Challenger Kim Becker – 787

State Senate Candidate Lisa Seminara (R-SD8) – 1033; Challenger Paul Honig – 807

Congressional Candidate Larry Lazor (CT-1) – 959; U.S. Rep. John Larson – 867

Candidate for Governor Bob Stefanowski (R) – 994; Gov. Ned Lamont – 849

Candidate for U.S. Senate Leora Levy (R) – 978; U.S. Senator Blumenthal – 872

Candidate for Secretary of the State – Dominic Rapini (R) – 957; Candidate Thomas (D) – 850

Candidate for Attorney General Jessica Kordas (R) – 934; AG Tong – 883

Candidate for Treasurer Harry Arora (R) – 980; Erick Russell (D) – 809

Candidate for Comptroller Mary Fay (R) – 1,009; State Rep. Sean Scanlon (D) – 820

Judge of Probate Candidate – James Steck, Esq. (R) – 999; Ruth Dwyer , Esq. (D) 820

Ballot Question in re early voting for CT: No – 847; Yes – 802

* (these are the exact numbers due to what I could hear from our ROV in a loud room but if they’re off at all it’s not notable. Any corrections will be made tomorrow if need be. )

News

GOTV for Tuesday November 8th, 2022

November 6, 2022

Fellow Barkhamsted residents and voters throughout our state of Connecticut who follow or view this blog, if you haven’t voted already please get out and vote this Tuesday. It is so important that you cast your vote to take our state and nation in the right direction. Everyone wants to see lower inflation, fewer taxes, less crime, parental rights restored, zero mandates, Constitutional liberties maintained as originally written, American independence, a bright future for our young, a safe place for our seniors and as much global peace that can be sustained. 

Our local races here in Barkhamsted are crucial in keeping our State Representative seat and State Senator seats Republican. Please re-elect Mark Anderson, (R-62) who as our representative along with New Hartford, Granby and Hartland has done an exceptional job following in the reigns of William Simanski, Richard Ferrari and Phil Prelli.  With no higher political ambitions, his goal is to keep it local and continue to do what is best for all four towns in this district. He is hands-on, accessible, knowledgeable and tireless. Mark Anderson deserves another term if not many more.

State Senator Candidate Lisa Seminara (SD8) currently serving on the Avon Board of Education, knows as a mother what is important to parents today in terms of classes and guidance. A Columbia College graduate, she will bring both hands-on daily life experience and wisdom to this seat now vacated by the popular and long-serving State Senator Kevin Witkos.

Congressman John Larson (CT-1) has certainly served long enough since being elected in 1999. Time for some new representation that is more in touch with today’s citizens. Vote for Larry Lazor, M.D. If you, friends or family live in the Fifth Congressional District, which Barkhamsted used to be part of until redistricting, please vote for George Logan. His race is the only Congressional toss up in Connecticut. An engineer, husband and father, a former State Senator and moderate Republican he will bring fresh air into the Fifth and our state as a whole, breaking up the monopoly of one party rule that has existed here since the former U.S. Representative Chris Shays lost his re-election in 2008.

Gubernatorial Bob Stefanowski is seeking his second run for Governor since 2018. He has continued to work hard to represent the people of Connecticut who are tired of being on the list of the highest taxed and regulated state denizens, and deserves your vote if you are seeking positive change. It is doable. Current Governor Ned Lamont won over Stefanowski by only 44K votes. (62K voters selected others on their ballots.) If Bob wins, he’ll need his Constitutional Officers so vote for this under ticket, as well.

Other states in the U.S. have better chances of electing a new Republican Senator to the White House. Although Connecticut is not in the top runners, if like with Congressman Larson, you feel Blumenthal has been in government long enough and don’t like his partisan votes, vote for his challenger.

Most importantly, get out and vote, as this is something sadly taken for granted by too many today in America. Be active. Participate in the freedoms you wake up to each day and want to keep in place. Every vote counts.

Riverton Fair BRTC Booth – State Rep. Mark Anderson and Barkhamsted Board of Selectman member Nick Lukiwsky (R)
State Representative Mark Anderson (R-62) at Barkhamsted RTC Meeting Oct 2022

Gubernatorial Candidate Bob Stefanowski with Canton supporter October 29, 2022 in Torrington on statewide bus tour
Bob Stefanowski for Governor 2022 lawn sign

2022 lawn signs Rte 44 Barkhamsted
State Representative Jay Case (R-63) at rally in Torrington for Gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski 10/29/22
Committee Events, News

Barkhamsted RTC Update – Riverton Fair Booth this weekend 10/07 – 10/09/2022

Update:

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated this site as Chairman. Most of our viewers know I was an advisor on the U.S. Senate campaign for Peter Lumaj through primary day. Though Peter and former HML and State Rep. Themis Klarides lost the primary due to former President Donald J. Trump’s endorsement of Leora Levy days before Republicans voted, we still stand by our endorsement of Peter Lumaj. A true conservative and proud American who immigrated to the U.S. in his early twenties with great sacrifice, he is truly one of a kind in terms of his policies, patriotism and tenacity.

Peter Lumaj continues to be a commentator on Fox News, Newsmax, Sky News, etc. as he has been for many years. Look for him on these networks to hear more of his keen insight. He does plan to continue to be involved in politics.

We still would have liked to see Brock Weber be our SOTS candidate, but with the SEEC blocking the CEP funds he qualified for before his two challengers, he had to drop out. Brock, a young husband and father, has many years ahead of him to run again. We did agree to vote for Dominic Rapini after Brock was no longer a choice on the ballot.

#

Riverton Fair: Who does not love this autumnal fair? Rides, ox pulls, blue ribbon chickens, huge pumpkins, smoked turkey legs, apple fritters and, yes, a little bit of politics pre-Election Day.

We have candidates coming Friday night, Saturday and Sunday to our Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee Booth if you’d like to meet them and ask a question or express your concerns, take home a lawn sign, donate or just pick up some literature. The weather is good this weekend. Please drop by…

News, Press

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.

Peter Lumaj for U.S. Senate

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.

Committee Events, News

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
News

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
News

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/

Uncategorized

Barkhamsted RTC Endorses SOTS Candidate Brock Weber

February 21, 2022

Candidate for Secretary of the State, Brock Weber (R), spoke to the Barkhamsted RTC on February 21, 2022 and took questions and answers after his campaign speech. He easily addressed inquiries about election law and small business regulation. Thoroughly familiar with this state position, after being the campaign manager in 2014 for candidate Peter Lumaj who had record numbers in that race, Brock chose to run after asking many others if they were interested in entering this race and all declined.

His stance on cleaning up the voter rolls, instituting a voter ID, dismantling the SEEC, stopping mass mailing of unsolicited absentee ballot applications and requiring signature verification processes for absentee ballots is what anyone who is concerned about election integrity needs to hear.

The other role the SOTS office plays, is small business legislation. Brock told the BRTC, he will cut registration and filing costs by 70%, upgrade processing systems for increased efficiency , and push the legislature to allow for biannual business filings.

Hearing this, in addition to many members being familiar with Brock and his work history in politics as a dedicated Republican, the vote was unanimous to endorse Brock Weber for Secretary of the State.

Committee Events, News

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.