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MARTINEAU PICKED TO HEAD GOP ELECTION TICKET

John McKenna

Jul 27, 2021

Litchfield’s Republican Party will offer voters a slate led by first selectman candidate Dan Martineau.

Litchfield’s Republican Party will offer voters a slate led by first selectman candidate Daniel Martineau.

Martineau during the GOP’s caucus at the Litchfield firehouse on Tuesday was picked to challenge First Selectman Denise Raap in the Nov. 2 municipal election.

Selectman Jonathan Torrant and Christine Harding, owner of Toast & Co., will be Martineau’s running mates. Martineau won the nomination to run for first selectman by defeating Harding 36-33 in a vote after both expressed an interest in pursuing the seat.

Locally, Martineau is known for his work as a scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 29 in Bantam. He is a retired state probation officer. The chance to serve the town in a new capacity, Martineau told the caucus, intrigues him enough to want to seek the first selectman’s job.

Harding, meanwhile, said she’s anxious to give back to a town that has supported her business through the pandemic. She is also the secretary of the town’s Economic Development Commission. Torrant, who will seek a fifth full term, pledged to continue a steady service that focuses on the best interests of the town.

“We’ve got a slate starting with Dan, Jon and Christine that brings energy and enthusiasm,” said Town Treasurer Francis Carpentier, who will seek a second term. “We need to send a message that there is a lot of support for Republicans in the community.”

Tax Collector Helen Bunnell served as chairman of the GOP candidate recruitment committee and said she was pleased with the candidates who stepped forward.

“I think we have a really great team and hopefully we go into the election united,” said Bunnell, who will seek a second term.

The rest of the slate includes Town Clerk Lisa Losee; incumbents Max McIntyre and John Cox, and Peter Dauten, for regular seats on the Planning and Zoning Commission; Norman Sauer and Guy Cunningham for alternate seats on planning and zoning; incumbent Steve Ardussi for the Board of Assessment Appeals; incumbent Wayne Shuhi, Julie Gloeckner and Stephan Krucker for the Board of Education; and Patty Dauten and Elliot Fuessenich for regular seats and Matthew Tobin and Roland Greenwood for alternate seats on the Board of Finance.

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