All of Newtown's registered Republicans have an opportunity to make history on Monday, July 24 - or at least recent history.The Newtown Bee that any contested race at Monday's caucus will be put to a vote, and those votes will be registered by private ballot - versus a show of hands or voice vote.The Bee.

That evening, beginning at 7 pm in the Edmond Town Hall gym, local members of the GOP can hear from and endorse one of the three candidates who hope to lead the community for the next two years as first selectman.

Current Selectman and former Legislative Council Chairman Will Rodger, current Council Chair Mary Ann Jacob, and current Board of Education and former Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers member Andrew "Andy" Clure have thrown their hats into the race.

This represents the first time in memory that there has been any competition among party members to compete for the Republican Town Committee's official endorsement, and the prospect that all three contenders will further take their pursuit of the town's top elected office to a municipal GOP primary.

Republican Registrar of Voters Carey Schierloh told 

While Mr Clure has yet to announce a running mate, Ms Jacob has chosen fellow council member Neil Chaudhary as her running mate for the Board of Selectman, and Mr Rodgers has chosen former council Chairman Jeff Capeci to run on his ticket. The top vote-getter emerging from the caucus July 24 will be the official Republican candidate on the primary ballot, as long as there is competition from at least one other Republican for the first selectman seat.

If that occurs, registered Republicans will be called to participate in a townwide primary machine vote on September 12. The top vote-getter in the primary will be the official GOP candidate on the November ballot, and presumably square off against Democratic hopeful Dan Rosenthal and his running mate Maureen Crick Owen, whose caucus was occurring July 20, after the print edition of this week's newspaper goes to press.

Look for results and coverage of the Democratic caucus on July 21 at newtownbee.com.

Ahead of the caucus, each of the GOP contenders provided written statements to 

Mr Rodgers said, "Jeff and I encourage all registered Republicans to participate in the caucus. Contested caucuses are unique in that they compel voters to make a choice perhaps before acquiring the information, issues, stances, and facts normally brought to better light later in the campaign.

"Therefore, one often has to rely on historical knowledge of the candidates at this juncture," Mr Rodgers continued. "To that end, Jeff and I know we have the most collective leadership experience, inside and outside of local politics, and the greatest track record in local politics, so we're hoping voters will support us at the caucus and beyond."

Mr Clure said, "The path to the Republican nomination for first selectman has been very enlightening. Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to continue to engage with many people - both community leaders and Newtown residents. I am encouraged about my candidacy and the future of our town. With the caucus for the Republican nominations on the horizon I am eager to move forward. If there is a primary in September every Republican voter in Newtown will have the opportunity to weigh in and I think they will agree I am the right candidate."

Mr Clure said he "will continue to stand by the principles I feel Newtown needs to prosper. I want to foster transparency in how Newtown is run and the vital decisions that are made. I want our residents to feel that they have insights into the financial decisions that impact their well-being and their wallet. I want to balance fiscal and community decisions to maintain the integrity of the town we all cherish. No one wants to lose that sense of contentment and pride we feel when we drive past the flagpole, go to a movie at ETH, or for an ice cream at our two local shops."

He concluded saying, "I will work hard to build upon the strong foundations Pat Llodra has put into place but also to prod and dissect procedures and initiatives when necessary, to listen and react to the views of our residents. Naturally, some priorities have shifted and refocused over the years. My emphasis will be on maintaining what is working and pivoting to accommodate the financial, educational, and personal challenges we all face in 2017 and beyond."

Ms Jacob said very few people see this part of the local political process, and affirmed it is uncharted waters for many.

Ms Jacob said she and Mr Chaudhary "assume we will not be the candidates presented for consideration by the Republican town committee so we will be nominated from the floor and will have to have enough supporters present at the meeting on July 24 voting in our favor in order to have the privilege of being on the ballot in November."

She said on July 24, Newtown Republicans have an opportunity to participate in choosing the candidate they want to represent their values in the election in November when typically that decision is made by a small group of people.

"Team Jacob Chaudhary for Newtown hopes you'll consider our experience and record as well as our plans for the future in making the decision on who to support," she continued. "And then, we hope you come to the caucus to voice that support. What slate of candidates can win in November? Who has a track record of strong results in previous races? What are their plans for the future?"

Ms Jacob said she and Mr Chaudhary "have demonstrated the ability to lead over the last eight years in a variety of ways."

As chairman of the council, Ms Jacob asserted that she "led the passage of four consecutive budgets that the voters approved on the first try - an unprecedented act in a town often plagued by protracted budget battles." And this year, she "proposed solutions that included setting aside $3 million through a variety of sources that will insulate the Newtown taxpayers against the inevitable shortfall in funding from the state."

Ms Jacob said she also led the successful process of a charter revision package that rewrote the entire charter, eliminated the archaic town meeting, and put more voting power in the hands of taxpayers. She concluded saying she and Mr Chaudhary "will lead Newtown into the future with experience and heart."

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