The Newtown Democratic Town Committee will not be fielding a candidate for First Selectman.  Incumbent Democrat Dan Rosenthal will be petitioning his way onto the ballot as a candidate for Serve America Movement , or SAM.  Democratic Selectman Maureen Crick Owens will be seeking a third term as his running mate, retaining her party affiliation. 

Rosenthal says his effort is not due to any disagreement of lack of support from the Democratic Party, but rather a vision of the office being non-partisan. 

Newtown Republicans have not put a name forward to top their ticket, but Town Committee leader say the party supports Rosenthal. 

According to Rosenthal, SAM takes no ideological positions and instead focuses on transparency, accountability, problem solving, term limits, electoral competition, and voting access, among others. The SAM Party has chapters in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas, with the state affiliate chaired by former Lt Governor candidate and town attorney Monte Frank.