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Hartford Republicans Choose November Slate

July 19, 2007
By DANIEL E. GOREN, Courant Staff Writer

Hartford's Republican town committee endorsed a slate of candidates Wednesday, headlined by the party's choice for mayor, J. Stan McCauley, head of Hartford Public Access Television.

Despite the party's clear disadvantage when it comes to Hartford politics - the GOP makes up only 5 percent of city voters - McCauley said he hopes to spark a kind of political revolution in the minds of the electorate, convincing them that "the Republican message is the best message."

"Hartford has an opportunity to make history," McCauley said. "Everyone knows there needs to be change. The question is whether there is the political will to make that change happen."

"We will win," he said to a crowd of supporters at city hall. "Why? Because the impossible is possible. They put people on the moon."

While a growing battle is raging among Democratic mayoral candidates, McCauley, who also hosts a show on public access, is the only Republican candidate seeking the office.

He is joined by a slate of Republican candidates for city council who were also endorsed Wednesday by the committee.

The list includes incumbent Veronica Airey-Wilson, who will seek her seventh term; Michael J. Lupo, a former member of the board of education; Michael McGarry, a former city councilman; Kevin Carroll, a local lawyer; former Deputy Police Chief Gerry Pleasant; and John Lupo Jr., a longtime city resident and former member of the Hartford Redevelopment Agency.

Republican Councilman Robert Painter has said he will not seek re-election.

The party also endorsed three candidates for constable: Tracy Sparmer, Ronald Bielawiec and Kevin Brookman.