A couple of local residents will be hoping for a big win at Foxwoods this weekend. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton and former New Fairfield First Selectman Susan Chapman are among the candidates seeking the Republican party's nomination for statewide office.
Chapman is the only GOP candidate for the Secretary of the State's position. Boughton is among 11 Republicans running for Governor.
The two-day nominating convention will start this afternoon and include a number of elimination votes to narrow down the field.
Rules Committee chairman, Ridgefield Representative John Frey, says in order to win the party's endorsement, the gubernatorial candidate will have to win a majority of delegate votes. Any candidate receiving at least 15-percent support on any vote qualifies for a spot on an August primary ballot.
The 5th Congressional District only had one declared candidate before Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Esty opted not to seek re-election amid a controversy over her handling of a sexual harassment complaint in her office. There are now at least 4 GOP candidates.
Former Meriden Mayor Manny Santos declared his candidacy when Esty was still in the race. Ruby O’Neill, the vice chair of the state Commission on Equity and Opportunity, and Rich DuPont, who was most recently director of the advanced manufacturing technology center at Housatonic Community College, are also in the race. John Pistone of Brookfield, who ran in 2012, 2014 and 2016, is also pursuing the seat.
Delegates will hold five simultaneous gatherings to endorse candidates for Congress in all five districts,before coming together to endorse a candidate for U.S. Senate.
