By Michelle Moskowitz
Sentinel Correspondent
This past Sunday, Greenwich Democrats gathered for their annual campaign kickoff at the Garden Education Center in Cos Cob.
Amid a sizeable and energized crowd, patriotic stars and stripes-themed pinwheels and balloons decorated the Montgomery Pinetum, where local Democrats have gathered each fall for the last 10 years.
After standing with hands on hearts for the national anthem, the mood was spirited as attendees welcomed their party representatives and geared up for the election on Nov. 8.
Presided over by the chairman of the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee, Jeff Ramer, Democratic speakers expressed two overarching themes: championing the human rights of every American, no matter what their color, race or background, and creating prosperity both here in Connecticut and across the country.
Speakers at the picnic included Cynthia Blumenthal, wife of U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, John Blankley, a candidate for the state Senate, and Dita Bhargava, a candidate for the state House.
Himes, running for his fifth term in Congress, thanked his fellow Democrats for coming together, and made a point of honoring “the great work” that President Obama has accomplished over the past eight years, such as widely expanding healthcare coverage and minimizing the loss of U.S. troops through foreign policy.
He also addressed the importance of the upcoming Presidential election, calling Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump a “threat” to our society, and predicting that Trump would “undo” the work that the Democratic Party has worked so hard to achieve.
He discussed the importance of supporting key party issues such as closing the wage gap between men and women, the rising threat of climate change, and the rights of the LGBT community.
“It was JFK who reminded us all that we are at our best when we serve each other,” Himes declared over a cheer.
Cynthia Blumenthal, a Greenwich resident and wife of Sen. Blumenthal (who was at another Democratic event that afternoon), honored her husband’s work ethic in serving his constituents and also addressed the importance of the next generation getting involved in the election process.
Comptroller Kevin Lembo highlighted the approval of his plan to stabilize Connecticut’s revenue and budgets through the Budget Reserve Fund. Through the plan, Lembo said, the state will be much better prepared to handle an economic downturn. It will be implemented in 2020.
Next up was John Blankley, who is running for the seat of state Senate representing the 36th district, which includes Greenwich and parts of Stamford and New Canaan, against longtime incumbent Sen. L. Scott Frantz.
Blankley, a Greenwich resident since 1983, has a 40-year record of top financial, management and entrepreneurial experience under his belt.
Originally from England, the Oxford-educated Blankley has served companies at an executive level at Stolt Tankers and Terminal and BP North America, and is currently the co-founder and CEO of Flagship Networks, Inc., a computer consulting and systems integration company based in Connecticut.
He was elected to Greenwich’s Board of Estimate and Taxation in 2013, having previously served on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).
Blankley drew applause from the crowd when he quoted Martin Luther King, Jr.: “The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” He went on to say, “The platform of our competition wants to roll back Roe vs. Wade, Planned Parenthood, and make it impossible for the gay/lesbian community. It’s more than a political fight, it’s a moral fight.”
He outlined his ability and willpower to get things done for Connecticut, such as restructuring state finances in order to provide families with financial security and the creation of a state infrastructure bank that would rebuild roads, rails and bridges.
Last to the podium was Dita Bhargava, who is running for 151st District state House seat against longtime Rep. Fred Camillo.
Bhargava shared her passion for wanting to give back to the community that, she said, has been so good to her and her family for the past eight years.
“Greenwich is so diverse and that’s what I love about it, but we need a seat at the table, and we need to have our voice represented,” said Bhargava.
With more than 20 years of financial experience on Wall Street as a senior trader and hedge fund portfolio manager, Bhargava aims to strengthen fiscal responsibility in Hartford through sustainable and transparent budgeting.
“I have knocked on 2,500 doors in this community and there are stories about economic disparity in our town that inspire me to get up to Hartford to make a real difference,” said Bhargava.
Being raised by a single immigrant mother who fought hard to ensure an education for her daughters, Bhargava is a strong advocate for policies like family leave and early childcare.
She also identified the importance of creating economic incentives for the 18 to 25-year-old demographic who are leaving the state in droves by creating an alliance between government, universities and the private sector.
Bhargava addressed the growing threat of opioid addiction in our community, saying Connecticut ranks third in the number of deaths from overdoses. “It’s a growing epidemic and literally killing us,” she said.
The Democratic Party in Greenwich has seen a slight increase over the years. In 1990, Democratic voter registration was at 19 percent; today the figure stands at 27 percent.
The Republication voter registration in 1990 constituted 48 percent of registered voters and today stands at 38 percent.
For more information, please visit GreenwichDemocrats.com
