An Endorsement

With A Distinction

To The Editor:

I have received the endorsement of the Independent Party (as distinct from the Independent Party of Newtown) for the office of state representative for Newtown’s 106th District. I am gratified to receive this endorsement in light of the way it came about and wish to relay those circumstances so as not to appear inconsistent with my announced stance regarding special interests.

As you may recall, I issued a press release on 25 July indicating that I would not solicit any special interest endorsements. I took this stance because I do not want to create the perception that I will be beholden to any particular group, and because the normal endorsement process often obligates the candidate to take categorical, inflexible positions, or worse, make implicit or explicit promises, to such special interest groups.

The endorsement I received from the Independent Party was not the product of any solicitation on my part. Instead, the process began when I was called repeatedly by a party official who left messages on my answering machine indicating that the party wished to endorse me, based on its perception of my stances on issues, and favorable words from outgoing State Representative Julia Wasserman, who had accepted the party’s endorsement herself in the past. In addition, though I am a committed Republican, I have an undeniable independent character that I believe the party found appealing. I neither made any promises nor answered any questions/surveys. In short, the Independent Party’s decision was based on my record and reputation to date in the public arena. Finally, I presume that the Independent Party, as the name implies, is the antithesis of a classic special interest in any event.

I hope this distinction is clear to the voters for it is very important to me that they be assured that if elected I intend to listen to all voices, not just particular ones with which I happen to agree.

Will Rodgers

208 Hattertown Road                                                   August 22, 2008