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GOP’s Callahan secures 2nd term after defeating Democrat Ginsburg in 108th House District race

GOP’s Callahan secures 2nd term after defeating Democrat Ginsburg in 108th House District race

Republican incumbent Patrick Callahan and Democrat Jeff Ginsburg faced off in the 108th House District race. The district consists of Sherman, a section of western New Milford, and part of northern Danbury. Contributed photos

Republican Patrick Callahan will be sworn in for a second term as state representative after defeating Democratic challenger Jeff Ginsburg in the Tuesday race for Connecticut’s 108th House District seat.

Callahan — a longtime New Fairfield resident who worked in law enforcement for almost 30 years — has represented the 108th since defeating Democrat Dannette Onofrio in the 2020 election.

With 100 percent of votes tallied, unofficial election results from the Secretary of the State as of Wednesday showed Callahan with 5,942 votes and Ginsburg with 4,306.

“It took a long time for the results to come in, but I ended up winning by a really substantial margin, so I’m very happy with that,” Callahan said Wednesday afternoon. “Being that I worked hard in Hartford and worked hard campaigning, I was happy that it was such a large victory.”

Ginsburg — a Sherman resident of nearly 20 years with experience working in and with local organizations — said he may have lost, but it was a close race in his hometown.

“In my own town (Sherman), I lost by 57 votes,” he said Tuesday night, noting that New Fairfield was “the hardest nut to crack because that’s where (his) opponent’s from.”

Unofficial election results as of noon Wednesday showed Ginsburg lost New Fairfield by 1,385 votes. He received 105 fewer votes than Callahan in Danbury and 89 fewer votes in New Milford.

Although it’s too soon to say whether he will run again, Ginsburg said people are already encouraging him to.

“I’ve gotten some feedback from people, saying how it was a close race,” he said. “I can’t say that I’m definitely going to run again — it’s too early — but people are encouraging me already, particularly because I started so late and got so close.”

Ginsburg said he decided to run for several reasons, including to give back to the community and advocate on behalf of the common interests of the district’s towns.

If elected, he said he would have not only advocated for the formation of a commission focused on the “economic aspect” of Candlewood Lake but worked to help keep senior citizens in the area while keeping zoning regulations at the local level.

Callahan had said his top priorities as state representative will include Candlewood Lake and Squantz Pond State Park, as well as working to reduce taxes and address juvenile crime.

As a result of recent changes to Connecticut’s voting district lines, Callahan will represent a slightly different 108th House District than he did prior — one with more New Fairfield constituents.

Beginning in 2023, New Fairfield’s southwestern corner — which currently belongs to the 138th House District — will become part of the 108th, joining all of Sherman, a section of western New Milford, and part of northern Danbury.

Candidates for 2022 Democratic Nominations

In May, the Democrats will nominate one candidate for each of the following offices:
Governor:
Ned Lamont
Lt Governor
Susan Bysiewicz
AG
William Tong
Comptroller
Sean Scanlon
U.S. Senator
Richard Blumenthal
Probate (for Sherman, 44th Probate District)
None
5th CD Congress
Jahana Hayes
30th Senate District
Eva Bermudez Zimmerman
108th Representative District
None

SDTC Holds a ‘Meet and Greet’ at the IGA

On Saturday, Oct 9, 2021, between 8 am and 11 am, the SDTC placed a greeting table in front of the IGA in Sherman. Board of Education candidates Kate (Kelley) Frey and Matt Vogt were present. Chris McDermott coordinated and ensured the event was a success. Andrea O’Connor and Chris made chocolate chip cookies. Tim Laughlin created an informative handout.  Marie Mennonna, Barbara Ackerman, and Bob Gamper also generously helped make it a success.

Sherman Democrats Welcome New Members

During the previous year, many folks have moved to Sherman.  The Sherman Democrats extend a warm welcome to anyone who is registered as a Democrat or is Unaffiliated.  Please contact us through this website to begin the process.

The Sherman Democratic Party is a political organization of inclusion, not exclusion. We have a long standing history of attracting both Democratic and Unaffiliated voters and endorsing both Democratic and Unaffiliated candidates. We work to represent the wide variety of Sherman people who hold many different viewpoints and opinions.

If you are interested in being active on any of the town’s commissions or boards, the Sherman Democrats can help,

Donation pages for candidates running for “flippable seats

ActBlue  is a nonprofit technology organization established in June 2004 that enables left- leaning nonprofits, Democratic candidates, and progressive groups to raise money from individual donors on the Internet by providing them with online fundraising software. Its stated mission is to “empower small-dollar donors”.

Contributions or gifts to ActBlue are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes.

Groups that use ActBlue pay a 3.95% credit card processing fee. As a nonprofit, ActBlue runs its own, separate fundraising program and accepts tips on contributions to pay for its expenses.

Below is a list of donation pages for candidates running for  “flippable seats”. These are all “act blue” links, meaning once you sign up for an account with Act Blue, you can easily make donations to other candidates without having to continually re-enter all of your information.

2019 Sherman House and Garden Tour – Wildly Successful !

The 10th Sherman House and Garden Tour was held on Saturday, September 21, 2019. The attendance and excitement exceeded our expectations. Four spectacular properties offered a wide range including General Putnam’s Revolutionary war headquarters and a 1930’s shipbuilder’s retreat. The post-tour garden reception was held at a fifth site that was a showcase for landscape architecture in full bloom.

Most of the folks responsible for the tour.Four of the Democratic Candidates for this November’s election were on-hand greeting attendees.

Left to right: Tim Laughlin (Board of Education), Ann Chiaramonte (Board of Assessment Appeals), Don Lowe (First Selectman) and Kevin Keenan (Selectman).
Chris McDermott chaired the event. Barb Ireland (right), Carol Muska and Barbara Ackerman also lead the effort.

The list of properties shown this year are:

Sherman Dems Announce This Year’s House & Garden Tour!

SDTC has announced its 2019 House and Garden Tour. Explore several magnificent Sherman country homes and gardens.

This self-guided tour affords one-day-only access to several of the region’s most magnificent private residences and their gardens. Ticket holders will receive a program that describes what to expect at each home, along with addresses. In past years, the Sherman House & Garden Tour has featured lakeside estates, historically significant homes, working farms and horse properties, and Sherman’s most architecturally stunning abodes.

A garden party with refreshments will take place after the tour.

The Sherman House & Garden Tour is sponsored by the Sherman Democratic Town Committee. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Guido Tino Scholarship Fund.

Purchase your tickets either from a DTC member, at the Sherman WIne and Liquor Store, on the day of the event at the Sherman School, or online. Tickets sold the day of the event are $25, prior to that day, they are $20.

On Saturday, September 21, 2019, go to the front of the Sherman School between  9 and 10 am to get your ticket (if bought online or to purchase), program and map. Use the map to find your way to the homes open for your tour and receive info on the after-party.

Results of the Sherman Democratic Town Committee Caucus

A caucus was held on Monday, January 21st, 2019 to endorse candidates for the Democratic Town Committee and to transact other business as may be proper to come before this caucus.

The results of last night’s caucus to elect a new slate of officers for the Sherman Democratic Town Committee.
Chair – David Silvay
Vice Chair – Alexis Mace
Treasurer – Thomas Conley
Deputy Treasurer – Bob Gamper
Secretary – Marie Mennonna
The outgoing Chair, Joel Bruzinski, praised the “talent, passion and dedication” of the folks he worked with. He noted that his tenure was meaningful, rewarding, and gratifying.

Announcing: The Sherman Democratic Caucus

To the enrolled members of the Democratic Party of the Town of Sherman, Connecticut.

Pursuant to the Rules of the Democratic Party and the State election laws, you are hereby notified that a caucus will be held on Monday, January 21st, 2019 at 7:30 pm, at the Sherman Old Town Hall, located at 8 Route 37 Center in Sherman, to endorse candidates for the Democratic Town Committee and to transact other business as may be proper to come before said caucus.

Dated at Sherman, Connecticut, on the 7th day of January, 2019.

Democratic Town Committee of Sherman

Joel Bruzinski

Chairman