With no vocal opposition, dozens of local Democrats joined together for their party caucus July 20 at Edmond Town Hall and vociferously endorsed a slate of candidates for municipal elections that will take place in early November.Read expanded coverage of the Democratic caucus, as well as our coverage of the July 24 Republican caucus in the July 28, 2017 print edition of The Newtown Bee.

Prompted by Democratic Town Committee leader Eric Paradis, the anticipated nominations of Dan Rosenthal for first selectman, Maureen Crick Owen for selectman, along with a full underticket of newcomers and incumbents were each in turn enthusiastically endorsed with loud shouts of "Aye."

Among the endorsements were two current Board of Education members - Debbie Leidlein, who recently changed parties, will be running for another term on the Democratic ticket, and Republican school board Chairman Keith Alexander, who will run on the Democratic ticket for the Board of Finance.

After breaking into three groups representing each of Newtown's Legislative Council Districts, party members reconvened and endorsed District 1 incumbents Judit DeStefano, Chris Eide, and Council Vice Chair Paul Lundquist.

District 2 representatives endorsed incumbent Dan Honan, and newcomers Clinton DePaulo and Jordana Bloom.

District 3 candidates will be newcomers Robert Pickard and Chris Smith, as well as current first-term Board of Finance member Kelley Johnson.

Valerie Hart was nominated for town clerk, while incumbent Vice Chairman James Gaston was nominated for a second term on the Board of Finance, along with newcomers Steve Hinden, Roger Cyr, and Mr Alexander.

Michelle Ku was nominated for the school board along with Ms Leidlein, and Sara Frampton was endorsed for the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Barb Manville, a current alternate, is nominated for the Planning & Zoning Commission, along with incumbent Don Mitchell, while Margot Snellback and Dave Rosen were nominated for P&Z alternates.

Alan Clavette was endorsed for the Zoning Board of Appeals with Prerna Rao; Joe Bojnowsi and Christina Paradis were endorsed as alternates.

Incumbent Andy Sachs was endorsed for another term on the Police Commission; and current Selectman Herb Rosenthal along with incumbent Jen Guman were endorsed for the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers.

In nominating Dan Rosenthal, Mr Lundquist noted that the first selectman candidate may have "Newtown politics in his genes," referring to his father Herb and grandfather Jack, who each served as first selectman.

In accepting the nomination, Dan Rosenthal said he sees "big opportunities ahead for Newtown," stating he would work to use grand list growth to reduce taxation on residential property owners, and support quality education," before thanking his family for their support, and complimenting the veterans and newcomers who stepped up to run for office.

Mr Clavette, who nominated Ms Crick Owen, stated that the caucus represented "democracy in action as we speak." He said while working with her on recent political campaigns he came to know Ms Crick Owen as "trustworthy, caring, and honest."

He also noted that she represented the 11th generation of her family, which was among the community's founders, adding, "She really cares about this town."

"I want to carry on what my parents, my grandfather, and my ancestors have done," Ms Crick Owen said, in accepting the party's nod. "I embrace change while honoring the past. We cannot always agree on everything, but that is what will make us work harder and better for the residents of this town. We want to improve on what we already have."

Following the endorsements, Eric Paradis said, "The Democrats are offering a slate of candidates with ideas, passion for Newtown and a commitment to hard work on behalf of all of our citizens. Our candidates represent all corners of Newtown. We have experienced leaders like Dan Rosenthal and Maureen Crick Owen who have generations of Newtowners behind them to many who are stepping up for the first time, but bringing a wealth of knowledge with them. We are one Newtown, together and the Democratic ticket will move Newtown forward.