Daniela Brighenti Photo
Former GOP Town Chair Richter Elser with ex-state consumer protection chief Mark Shiffrin at GOP happy hour.
You might not have guessed that New Haven is a Democratic city if you wandered into City Point Kitchen on Thursday evening.
Dozens of local Republicans packed the restaurant’s main salon for a fundraising happy hour aimed at reviving the city’s GOP.
The event was organized by new GOP town chairman, Jonathan Warthon, who has vowed to build membership, a platform, and slates of candidates for public office.
The crowd included Republicans from other Connecticut communities,some of which already have a larger GOP support base — a fact cited multiple times at the event to encourage Elm City Republicans.
“It’s so exciting to see all these Republicans right here in New Haven,” said State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus, who represents the 89th General Assembly District covering Bethany, Cheshire and Prospect. “And as for being a sacrificial lamb — don’t worry, I’ve been there, too.”
“Sacrificial lamb”: Doug Losty, the only New Haven Republican running in this fall’s state races, used that term too. Losty is running against incumbent Democratic State Rep. Toni Walker in the 93rd General Assembly District.
He decided to run because he concluded that so many uncontested legislative races is not “in the best interest of democracy.”
Losty and Wharton.
Because Losty — a New Haven landlord active in the Greater New Haven Property Owners Association — said he knows he faces an “uphill battle” given that he lacks political experience and New Haven is a predominantly Democratic city. “But I’m hoping to battle the traditional Republican stereotypes.”
Those stereotypes, Losty said, include the belief that all Republicans are “capitalist explorers,” “indifferent to social needs,” and “racists.” He said, however, as a “social moderate” his policies would appeal to a broad audience in the community.
He said he would like to see government initiatives that encourage small businesses, targeted cuts and long-term planning in government spending, as well as a small overall government presence.
Loyal Republican Frank Lobo catered the event.
Amid apple pies, chilled beer and gourmet hot dogs, others in the room used the gathering as a chance to share mutual woes and discuss their experiences in politics.
The man doing the cooking has been keeping the Republican flame alive in New Haven for years. Frank Lobo, an active party leader and one-time alder candidate who opened the restaurant in 2015, had encouraged Wharton to host a more social event for the GOP’s first fundraiser this semester. And he opened the doors of City Point Kitchen.
Paula Smith of Milford, where the divide between Democrats and Republicans is less pronounced — 27 percent lean Democrat versus 23 Republican, with the rest unaffiliated — said the most important challenge is getting out the vote.
When running for mayor in her city last year, Smith said, she knocked on doors and phone voters. Because many do not lean to one particular side of the spectrum, she said, it was possible to get their votes after presenting her platform.
Smith won the endorsement of both the Republican and Independent Party last year. She ended up losing in the election, but plans a second run in the upcoming term.
“The more active we are, the better,” she said.
For others, their segueway into politics was more personal.
Pat Lebro, for example, has been a member of the GOP since the 1980s. But this is the first time she will be running for office. A retired educator with three cgrown, Lebro said she is running because she is “disgusted” with the direction in which the state is headed. She cited high taxes, costly college tuition and difficulty in finding jobs for the youth — which she said she saw firsthand in the experience of her sons.
“I’m hoping when I run, that people will look at the issues and vote on the issues themselves, rather than the party the candidate belongs to,” Lebro said.
She faces the similar uphill battle as Losty.
“These days I’m a landlord in New Haven,” Losty said. “Which I’m sure they’ll use against me. ‘Oh, those capitalist exploiters.’”
“We call them Republicans!” Wharton said in response, to the laughter of the group.
“He said it,” Losty added, “not me!”
Whartonon said he was happy with the turnout. About 60 people attended the event, more than the original expected 50. Tickets cost $30. Wharton said he hopes to continue these events throughout the year, hosting them at various locations to attract many more to the party.