New Milford Democrats showed they were ready for change this week voting in a slate of both new and familiar faces to form the Democratic Town Committee.
Voter turnout was 14 percent for the primary vote Tuesday, but the message was clear that change was needed with all 35 candidates of the New Milford Democrats for Change slate winning.
“It shows that Democrats want to win elections. That they’re not only tired of losing but tired of not even being competitive,” said Andy Grossman, spokesman for New Milford Democrats for Change.
Grossman added that over the last several years he has spoken with hundreds of Democrats in New Milford and constantly heard “Where is the party? Why is it so quiet?”
“All of that is going to change,” Grossman said. “We are going to be a party of total inclusion, inviting and welcoming people to our meetings. We want to hear from Democrats, their ideas and opinions.”
Grossman congratulated former DTC chairman John Lillis and former mayor Liba Furhman for their years of service to the town. Lillis and Furhman were on the losing slate in Tuesday’s primary along with 22 other former DTC members.
“I congratulate Andy and the rest of the people on that slate,” Lillis said. “I wish them the best of luck. We were hoping through our advertising to present ourselves as individuals, people who have done much for their town and their party. In the end, people voted by slate. People voted for change.”
Top priorities for the new DTC include raising money, finding a candidate to run for State Representative, and reviving the party to contest every election.
The DTC will also take a civic role in the community, Grossman said, spearheading fundraisers for causes of those in need and speaking out on issues.