Editorial: A legal victory with complications

The Connecticut Superior Court ruling Tuesday validated State Rep. John Santanella's complaint. This is a clear win, and allows him to avoid an August 11 Democratic primary against his challenger, former town attorney Tom Tyler. Tyler can appeal, but absent that, Santanella can shift his focus to November. But a winning legal outcome is not the same as a winning narrative outcome. This was an honest mistake by the Tyler campaign, a consequence of some flawed official guidance and a decision to rely on that guidance. The court found that the Democratic registrar provided petition sheets four days before state law allowed, and that the state-supplied forms lacked a legally required statement from circulators on the number of signatures gathered — a defect that invalidated all of Tyler's petitions. The ruling also notes that there was no evidence the Tyler campaign exercised due diligence to confirm the official guidance. Connecticut election law doesn't allow for honest mista...
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Enfield Democrats Surge in Fundraising as GOP Treads Water

 

A recent protest in Enfield, part of the nationwide "Good Trouble Lives On," in honor this month of the late Congressman John Lewis. More than 1,600 rallies were held nationwide. 


The local Democrats are off to a good start in fundraising for this year’s local election.

In the second quarter of this year, the Enfield Democratic Town Committee raised $13,911 from April through June—outpacing Republicans nearly 9-to-1, according to state campaign finance filings.

The Enfield Republican Town Committee raised just $1,583 during the same period.

Democrats began the quarter with a negative balance of –$1,294, but raised enough to erase their debts and finish with $7,092 in the bank.

Republicans hold the cash advantage

Despite the strong Democratic quarter, Republicans still hold a cash-on-hand advantage, thanks to a $12,911 reserve they carried into the quarter. They ended the period with $14,300 in the bank.

But when it comes to momentum and new donor activity, Democrats clearly have the upper hand for now.

This early fundraising snapshot suggests that local Democrats are more energized and better organized than they were two years ago. Still, the Republican committee remains well-funded and organized. They have time to catch up. 

Can the Democrats win?

Possibly.

In 2021, their townwide sweep may have been boosted by backlash against Donald Trump—especially in the wake of the January 6 Capitol attack. Anti-Trump sentiment runs deep in Enfield. One protest in town that year drew as many as 700 people, a remarkable turnout for a town this size.

How hot are local issues?

National politics aside, local frustrations could play a big role in turnout.

Property taxes remain a flashpoint, but education may be the more potent issue. Some voters feel Republican leadership has gone too far—either by cutting too much or failing to prioritize school funding. And the tone of local GOP leaders—often combative and confrontational—may alienate moderate voters and provoke its own form of backlash. But the Republican approach may appeal to tax-sensitive voters.  

This year’s races will say a lot—not just about Enfield’s politics, but about what kind of leadership style voters are willing to support.
Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA

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