By Emma Barhydt
On Tuesday, July 20 at 8pm, Joe Kelly (aka Coach Kelly) hosted the first conversation for the 36th state Senate special election with Alexis Gevanter and Ryan Fazio- two of the three candidates running for this special election.
Kelly’s show, which airs on facebook, is Good News Game Plan where Joe Kelly is joined by locals every week to spread the good news around town.
This was, in fact, the first time that Ryan Fazio and Alexis Gevanter have ever met. The format of Good News Game Plan is a uniquely positive one which focuses on good news and civility, giving the two opponents a chance to get to know each other in a friendly environment.
To begin, Joe Kelly brought on his daughter, a junior in high school, to give a young person’s perspective of the candidates. Before the candidates were brought onto the video call, she emphasized the need for finding common ground and talking civilly during debates. Both candidates were asked to bring some good news to share.
Introduced first was Alexis Gevanter. Gevanter’s good news was her excitement over her unanimous endorsement from the local Democratic party, but “the best news ever is how many volunteers have signed up…” Gevanter said.
Fazio introduced himself next, highlighting his time growing up in Greenwich and work with renewable energy. Fazio’s piece of good news was that he just learned that one of the gentlemen he delivers Meals on Wheels to is now off his walker because of successful hip surgery.
Kelly reemphasized how short the time period is for this election, a mere four weeks, before prompting both candidates to share their favorite thing about the 36th district.
Gevanter remarked, “It’s almost too much to count. It’s just been wonderful to raise my children here.” Gevanter continued, “I think the sense of community is really special…” But when pressed to pick a favorite Gevanter said, “…it would have to be Tod’s Point, which is just incredible. I visited there on Sunday with my two boys… It doesn’t get better than that.”
“I agree with Alexis. It’s almost too much to enumerate” Fazio began. “I grew up here, so I really love this place. It’s the only place I’ve ever considered home.” But Fazio’s absolute favorite thing “…has to be the heart of the people and the sense of community here.” Using 2020 as an example, Fazio explained “so many people stepped up to look out for [others].”
After this Kelly prompted the candidates to ask each other some “nice friendly question[s]”. Alexis asked the first question, a fun ice breaker: “What’s your favorite sport?”
“Easy question.” Ryan responded. “Baseball. I played baseball growing up in Greenwich and I played on the high school team.”
Ryan followed up by asking Alexis two questions. “One… what’s your favorite hobby? And [two] … what’s your favorite restaurant in the 36th District?”
“Favorite hobby. I love to run. So that’s fun,” Alexis said. “I don’t have much time to do it, but when I get a chance, I absolutely want to go running, and so that’s pretty great.”
Some friendly banter was shared between the candidates, Alex continued, “So canvassing is fun because at least I’m-” Ryan laughed, “Now, you’re really running.”
As for a favorite restaurant, Alexis says “that’s a really tough one.” Ryan conceded that to make Alexis choose a favorite restaurant would be unfair.
Ryan asked the next question which was a deeper dive, “If you could serve on any town body in the town government, which would it be?” Alexis replied, “I suppose the RTM. I’m really interested in being in a legislature.”
Alexis asked the final Q&A question, “Where’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to?” Ryan responded, “…it’s a very cliche answer to say Paris, but … it is actually one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.” Ryan continued, “…I did study abroad in Prague. The beauty of that city and the architecture [make it] one of the underrated, great cities in the world. So I guess I’ll say those two.”
Ryan threw the question back to Alexis. “I love London. My husband’s from London. So I’m a huge fan of London. I also really love Budapest. Also just a fascinating city, beautiful architecture, such a confluence of different cultures.”
Once Kelly concluded the Q&A section, they proceeded to talk about what positive change or influence each candidate hopes to have over one project in the 36th district should they be elected.
Alexis answered first, “What I’d like to do is really focus on three things, public safety and public health being the first, prosperity being the second, and progress being the third.” Alexis continued, “I want to keep our children safe from gun violence and our families safe from the pandemic. And so to continue to make sure that they are safe in their schools and their playgrounds and in their homes, that’s obviously something I’m very passionate about and I would continue to work on in the legislature.”
Ryan responded second. “I want to create hope and optimism for the future of Connecticut. I want this to be the destination in the country that everyone wants to move towards.” Ryan continued, “We have the fourth lowest rate of economic growth over the last 13 years in the state. …The good news is the future can be brighter than ever before, if only we bring a positive change to our state.”
Kelly said farewell to both candidates and gave them some parting advice, “Happy campaigning. Don’t work too hard. Sun’s shining. …Make people happy when you’re talking to them, please.”
After both candidates signed off, Kelly left viewers with this: “We have to build a relationship, …we need to have a conversation like we just did. Let Alexis meet Ryan. Let them talk a little bit. They can build on what they have in common, and then identify with respect towards each other and towards the community what they differ on.”
