January 5, 2025

Written by Juliana Simone

Happy New Year to all of our committee members, town residents who support our efforts, and all viewers of this website.

The end of 2024 brought in a variety of highs and lows throughout the nation and statewide. Mostly highs, fortunately. We saw President-elect Donald J. Trump became the first former President to ever win a second term since Grover Cleveland as our Country’s 22nd and 24th leader of the free world. Rightfully so, but I don’t care to go into the weeds here with so many details on 2020. Trump also won with an impressive mandate by winning the popular vote and the Electoral College with a large lead as totals showed, Trump: 312 Harris: 226. The former President of the United States also won all seven swing states, flipping six that he allegedly did not in 2020. He is clearly what the American people wanted after four years of a President Biden administration.

Other highs, along with Trump’s big win, was winning the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The lead in the House would have been larger if the President-elect didn’t tap three House members to serve in higher posts going forward, and some blue government led states were not allowed to continue counting votes for weeks after Election Day. Election Laws need serious overview and change to make them lawful and honest again.

A low for us here in our region of Connecticut, was losing our State Senate seat in Senate District 08, which has been held by a Republican since 1967. Newcomer Lisa Seminara of Avon, won by a short amount of votes in 2022 against democrat challenger, Paul Honig, a minority member of the Harwinton Board of Selectmen, only to lose to him in this rematch by a similar amount of votes, but this time in his favor.

Despite her being the incumbent and deserving a second term as an enthusiastic and hard-working State Senator, enough voters from the larger towns in the district like Simsbury, chose to vote Democrat giving Honig the win. We’ll see how he does. I have suggested she challenges him again in 2026 when he has an actual record, though his party always allows their weaker candidates to vote with the other side of the aisle traditionally to help keep them in their seats, given their large majority.

Another low was our state’s U.S. Senator candidate, Matthew Corey (R), a navy veteran and small businessman who took on sitting U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D) a second time only to lose once again. There is little comparison between these two men and it has come to national attention as to why Connecticut voters still keep Murphy in office, as well as U.S. Senator Dick Blumenthal, in addition to all five congressional districts being held solely by democrats.

In addition to Corey losing, CT-5 Congressional candidate, George Logan, lost his second run against Johanna Hayes, who barely won in their first challenge in 2022. The win came from another well past Election Day recount, that ended up in her favor by lost votes being found. With this information, it looked like Logan had a good chance of winning this time, but to much surprise, lost by more percentage points than were expected. He deserved better, as a very hard campaign worker with a good background and positive vision for our state and country.

Congratulations to our own town’s State Representative, Mark Anderson (R-62) for winning a third term. He is a fair and diligent representative who serves all of his four towns well.

In addition to Election Day news, the Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee had a successful biannual fundraiser on October 3rd. Many continued thanks to our fine Treasurer, Steve Blackburn, and to our Vice Chair, Dave Moulton who hosted guests in his home.

A special thank you to the Riverton Inn and former owner Adam Towers, who contributed a meat lasagna and salad for attendees, and to the Brass Horse Cafe for their chicken wings contributed by Selectman Mark Mahoney. Much appreciation, as well, to so many people who brought homemade food.

Congressional candidate Jim Griffin, (CT-1) gave a knowledgeable speech as a former D.C. insider and veteran. Also on hand were State Senator Lisa Seminara (08) and State Representative Mark Anderson (62). Former Mayor of Meridan, U.S. Marine, and CT-5 candidate, Manny Santos were also present.

Election Day brought Republicans a win in every race on the ballot in Barkhamsted. Thank you to our town voters and to our hard working poll workers and volunteers.