Barkhamsted voters chose Republican candidates on their ballots this important Presidential election year. They also voted no to the ballot question on amending the current absentee ballot election law. Thank you. Here are the results:
President: Trump 1239; Harris 1127
U.S. Senate: Corey 1194; Murphy 1122
CT-1: Griffin 1176; Larson 1136
State Senate: Seminara 1314; Honig 1031
State Representative: Anderson 1333; Becker 1009
Registrar of Voters: Blackburn (R) 1198; Martin (D) 1118
Ballot question on Amending Absentee Ballots: No 1033
First Selectman Nick Lukiwsky Praises Town Volunteers in Post Parade Speech
Barkhamsted, CT – The small town parade that attracts people from nearby and far away each year to celebrate Independence Day was met with the same crowds and enthusiasm. Newspapers have described this event for over a decade as a Norman Rockwell experience. The weather was perfect with no rain or hot temperatures under a blaring sun. The Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee was happy to hand out free bottled water to parade attendees.
Participants naturally change each year, but regulars are always present such as our fine volunteer firemen, elected politicians and their challengers, veterans, scouts, etc. Here are some photos from this year’s parade. Many thanks to the Barkhamsted Lions for continuing this wonderful event.
Barkhamsted RTC Chairman Juliana Simone Independence Day Parade 2024
Adam Towers, former Riverton Inn owner, RTC member and parade truck driver
State Senator Lisa Seminara (08) and State Representative Mark Anderson (62)
State Senator Lisa Seminara with Connecticut State policeman and son
State Senator Lisa Seminar and State Representative Mark Anderson with the veteran float July 4 2024
Town Hall employees with flamingo theme on golf cart
Selectman Mark Mahoney in the Town Hall flamingo themed costume
State Senator Lisa Seminara (l), BRTC Secretary Mike Stewart with wife in BRTC free water bottle booth
Barkhamsted RTC Secretary Mike Stewart (l) and Barkhamsted First Selectman Nick Lukiwsky Independence Parade 2024
First Selectman Nick Lukiwsky addressing the crowd post Independence Day parade and thanking Barkhamsted’s many volunteers – July 4, 2024
Barkhamsted First Selectman Nick Lukiwsky and Lions Club President Judy Doyle
Former Barkhamsted Selectman and volunteer Fireman Bill Downes
Senator Lisa Seminara and husband Independence Day Parade Barkhamsted 2024
American Legion honoring the POW and MIA veterans at the Barkhamsted Independence Day parade 2024
This is a summary of so much that has happened since Election Day 2023.
Selectman Nick Lukiwsky was elected as the new First Selectman of Barkhamsted on November 7th. Nick, a member of the Board of Selectmen, had worked well with the former First Selectman, Don Stein, who had held the position since being elected in 2008. Stein retired after his long run and gave Lukiwsky his best moving forward. The local BDTC could not find a challenging candidate, so it was an unopposed seat. Mark Mahoney will hold the second seat on the BOS along with Nick.
BRTC members celebrating at the Brass Horse election night November 2023
In February, our State Senator Lisa Seminara, and State Representative, Mark Anderson, visited the Barkhamsted RTC to give us an update on the 2024 session underway at the Connecticut General Assembly. We all agreed how much Lisa has assumed the role of Senator, and is proud of the work she has done on her appointed committees. Mark is always diligent and tireless.
State Representative Mark Anderson (R-62) and State Senator Lisa Seminara (SD-08) addressing the Barkhamsted RTC with a 2024 session update
In April, First Selectman Nick Lukiwsky, State Senator Lisa Seminara and State Representative Mark Anderson attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Riverton Shops in the Riverton section of Barkhamsted, which has focused on retail and destination growth for some time.
Riverton Shops ribbon cutting ceremony with State Senator Lisa Seminara, First Selectman Nick Lukiwsky and State Representative Mark Anderson
May brought all of the required conventions for the Secretary of the State Office. These included the State House convention, State Senate Convention, Congressional First District Convention and the State Convention. Many thanks to all of our committee’s fine delegates who attended each of these and to our candidates whether seeking reelection, running for the first time, or running again. BRTC Chairman Juliana Simone, seconded the nomination for the CT-1 Congressional candidate, Jim Griffin, who is a West Point graduate, retired military officer and CIA member, in addition to being a historian who is working on making the Hartford Colt East Armory building a national landmark. His acceptance speech at the convention brought him a standing ovation. BRTC Chairman Juliana Simone has endorsed Matthew Corey for the U.S. Senate as did our delegation at the convention, and Matt has had our continued support for ten years as an exceptional candidate to be seated in Washington, D.C.
State Representative Mark Anderson’s 2024 May convention with Barkhamsted RTC Vice Chair Dave Moulton, member Tom Andersen and First Selectman Nick Lukiwsky.
Hartland RTC Chair Connie Irwin and Barkhamsted RTC Chair Juliana Simone at the New Hartford State Senator Convention May 2024
First Selectman Dan Jerram nominating State Senator Lisa Seminara at the New Hartford Town Hall May 2024
State Senator Lisa Seminara at the party convention in New Hartford 2024
BRTC Chair Juliana Simone with member Tom Andersen at the State Convention 2024
Delegate tally for U.S. Senate nomination
BRTC Chair Juliana Simone with CT-1 nominee Jim Griffin in South Windsor 2024
Barkhamsted RTC with then CT-1 Candidate Matthew Corey (l-r: then State Central member Rich Tutunjian, Matt Corey, Juliana Simone, Steven Blackburn 2014)
U.S. Senate Candidate Matthew Corey in primary for nomination 2024 at State Convention
The State GOP’s annual Prescott Bush dinner was held on June 13th in Stamford. An out of state donor bought a table for RTC Chairs that were recognizable in their jobs. Juliana Simone, Barkhamsted RTC’s chairman, was selected to join. Attending with CT-1 candidate, Jim Griffin, many endorsed members of the BRTC were also there that night – Peter Lumaj, Matt Corey, Brock Weber, Bob MacGuffie (CT-4 candidate 2024) and George Logan in his toss up race for CT-5 2024 in his second attempt after losing by a very slim margin in 2022, and Manny Santos who ran in 2018 against Esty for CT-5.
Juliana SImone with CT-4 Congressional candidate Bob MacGuffie June 2024
State Senator Rob Sampson with CT-1 Congressional candidate Jim Griffin
Barkhamsted RTC Chairman Juliana Simone with former Meriden Mayor and CT-5 Congressional candidate, Manny Santos at the CT GOP annual dinner Stamford CT June 2024
On October 18th, residents on this side of town, including district State Representative Mark Anderson (R-62), showed up to support First Selectman Candidate Selectman Nick Lukiwsky, and his running mate for the BOS, Mark Mahoney, at the roadhouse bar and cafe “The Brass Horse.” Lukiwsky is unopposed. Owner Kim Hamel put out a delicious pot of New England Clam Chowder among some other appetizers for guests created by her cook. Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee’s Treasurer, Steven Blackburn, was on hand to make sure any proper papers were filled out for donations, along with Chairman, Juliana Simone. Thanks again to balloon artist, Shelley Thibault, for putting up some festive decorations for the occasion.
First Selectman Candidate Barkhamsted Selectman Nick Lukiwsky
Barkhamsted RTC Chairman Juliana Simone and Treasurer Steven Blackburn
Supporters for Nick Lukiwsky and Mark Mahoney
(L-R) State Representative Mark Anderson, The Brass Horse owner Kim Hamel, Selectman Candidate Mark Mahoney, First Selectman Candidate Selectman Nick Lukiwsky and Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee Chairman Juliana Simone
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.
Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee and CT GOP news
