A decade ago, Bristol Republicans were so down and out that nobody in the GOP held office from Bristol except for a few positions that the law barred Democrats from possessing.The mayor, the entire City Council and the city’s legislative delegation were all Democrats with one exception: Plymouth’s Bill Hamzy held a state House seat that included a portion of northwestern Bristol.
Things have changed.
In the wake of Tuesday’s election, Republicans from Bristol will hold a state Senate seat, Hamzy’s former state House seat and two City Council slots as well.
“We’ve come a long way,” said T.J. Barnes, the city’s Republican leader. “We were able to show we are a viable party in a tough town.”
Capturing the state Senate seat is a particular coup.
Bristol hasn’t had a GOP state senator in four decades, since Wallace Barnes gave it up in 1970 in an unsuccessful bid to gain his party’s backing for a gubernatorial run.
Click here for the full story.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
18 comments:
Except for perhaps the recruitment of Welch (please advise), the local GOP success is more the result of luck and two good candidates (Mills, Cockayne) coming forward to run than any concerted effort by the GOP town committe or it's leadership.
I don't think you can discount the hard work by the candidates, the volunteers, and the town committees, especially the chairmen. The tea party movement has also played a role.
It has been often said that in Brristol, the Republicans eat their young.
There are many examples where they have destroyed their own winners
12:34
And the money
I guess the best thing that can be said about this is enjoy it while it lasts.
Mills is getting up there and years and its questionable how much longer he'd be willing to serve.
Cockayne has traditionally faced weaker democrats in what is a pretty democratic part of town.
And once people see how impotent Welch will be in the legislature he'll turn back into a pumpkin.
What the people giveth, the people will taketh away.
Don't forget Rose Parenti winning as Treasurer and the support Mary Alford and others have been generating lately. Not so sure this momentum is done yet. Mills and Cockayne both have a lot of support. Could very well be a Republican majority in council and mayor this time next year.
You're right though..it wont last forever.
As much as the Republicians deserve credit for the wins the Dems gave them this opportunity by endorsing two candidates that by the results from the area towns, should have never been on the ballot- let's see what happens in the municipal elections next year
I thought that Cockayne is a democrat.
Is Mary another King Krawiecki selection?
Good job, GOP!!!
Mary will never win as Mayor...GOP better look hard at who they put up for Mayor next time around.
The GOP may be happy with Art.
10:40
Why shouldn't they be happy, they are getting everything they want (except a better Bristol).
More like Lord and Lady Krawiecki.
The Prince is Barne$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
But the King is ??????
10:02
Whomever they annoint.
See page C3, 11-7-2010 Hartford Courant.
There is a message and moral there for the Bristol GOP
"Cockayne has traditionally faced weaker democrats (sic) in what is a pretty democratic (sic) part of town"
1) I'm a Republican and although I'm generally in oposition to the Democrat Party, I support a democratic government.
2) What Democrat is not "weak" (in the mind) in Bristol? Certainly the moron Kevin McCauley is so.
3) The 2nd District has traditionally been the strongest district for Republicans in Bristol.
Yes and I see I mis-spelled the word opposition.
Even smart guys aren't perfect.
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