Registered Democrat and Republican voters went to the polls Tuesday to elect who they felt would be the best candidate in the November elections.

The November elections may feel very far off, but these primaries signal the start of what will be at times a contentious few months and at times an uplifting few months of campaigning. Choosing a governor, lieutenant governor, and others at the state and national level is a trickle down vote, making these primaries and the November elections as vital to Newtown citizens as will be the campaigns for our local representatives.

In choosing Mark Boughton from the five Republican candidates for governor in this primary — the others being Timothy Herbst, Steve Obsitnik, Bob Stefanowski, and David Stemerman — Republican voters in Newtown felt that his polices reflected the proper future of the state. Republicans statewide decided otherwise, though, with Bob Stefanowski getting the Republican nod to go up against Democrat Ned Lamont, who soundly defeated Joe Ganim on Newtown’s Democratic ballot, as well as statewide.

Choosing between newcomer Newtown’s Eva Bermudez Zimmerman and Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, on the Democratic side, our voters, as did voters statewide, chose Ms Bysiewicz to go on the November ballot for Lt Governor. Joe Markley was the voters’ choice locally and statewide, overcoming Jayme Stevenson and Erin Stewart on the Republican ticket for this office.

Statewide and locally, voters selected Jahana Hayes (D) and Manny Santos (R) to face each other for retiring 5th Congressional District Representative Elizabeth Esty’s position; Dita Bhargava was the choice of local Democrats, but it will be Democrat Shawn Wooden who is up against Republican’s Thad Gray in November as State Treasurer; and Newtown voters agreed with the statewide vote that William Tong (D) should face Sue Hatfield(R) for the Attorney General slot.

No Democratic candidates were voted on locally in this primary for the office of Comptroller, with Kurt Miller, (R) the winner in this round locally.

Mr Miller will challenge incumbent Kevin Lembo (D) for comptroller, while Republican Matt Corey will go up against Democratic incumbent US Senator Chris Murphy in November.

We respect the opinions of local voters who practiced their rights to vote, hoping to give the top state positions to those candidates they felt would honor campaign promises. While many, but not all, of Newtown’s choices now move forward, it is with the promises that those chosen will represent all citizens of the state — including those of Newtown.

When one-issue candidates are elected to state offices, or when state officials are elected to office who do not see past the dome of the capitol, towns like Newtown can suffer over the course of time.

A governor and lieutenant governor, as well as other high-ranking officials, must be elected based on a commitment to the advancement and protection of every resident in every town in the state.

We hope that the high turnout of voters at our August 14 primaries indicates that Newtown residents see the importance of having officials outside of our borders in place that reflect ideals of the entire populations in this state.

The November elections will tell.