Goshen Republican Change Rolls On

Staff Writer

On Tuesday, January 9^th more than 50 Goshen Republican voters ventured out into a windy, rainy, slippery night to cast their votes for a slate of endorsed candidates for the 2024-2026 Republican Town Committee. While a potentially contentious face-off between the Party’s new and old guards was anticipated, none materialized, and within 15 minutes a slate of candidates was unanimously endorsed by those present. Unless challenged within the statutory time limit, the endorsed candidates will be seated in March.

The outcome is seen as a significant next step in a process of change that began with the Party’s July caucus, in which Republican voters overwhelmingly rejected candidates for Selectman and the Planning & Zoning Commission endorsed by established, long-time leaders, including former First Selectman Bob Valentine and then-Selectman Mark Harris. Instead, they chose new, younger candidates, including Selectman Scott Olson and PZC Commissioners Jon Carroll and Shilo Garceau, all of whom were elected in November. To the surprise of many, at Tuesday’s caucus the old guard did not even show up.

“We had a pretty good idea that something like this could happen”, said Republican Town Committee Chairman Tony DeMarco, “but we were prepared for whatever may come”. He told The Goshen News: “I am really thrilled that we have a Town Committee that reflects the results of the [November] election. We have a great number of young Republicans… the future of the Town is in their hands”.

“This was a great night for the future of Goshen and Goshen Republicans,” said activist Lynette Miller, a former Republican Town Committee (RTC) Chair who was among the slate of candidates endorsed in Tuesday’s caucus. Miller said she is especially looking forward to “working with our young Republican leaders and our new, young RTC members who represent the stake our next generation has in Goshen’s future.”

Others expressed similar sentiments that the new committee would be better connected with the people of Goshen and that their selection was in line with the outcome of the November Municipal Election.

All told, a slate of 30 candidates was endorsed, as follows:

Kim Carusillo

Todd Carusillo

Devin Stilson

Marianne Stilson

Ashley Hall Daddona

Connor Arnold

Patrick Lucas

Matt Sweet

Christopher Marino

Felix Sambuco

Dustin Mosley