Campaign News & Election Information
CLICK THE BUTTON TO LEARN WHERE YOUR POLLING LOCATION IS
WEST HARTFORD EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED
October 20, 2025
October 20, 2025 - Early voting in West Hartford has begun and will continue daily through November 2nd. Early voting is only available at the West Hartford Town Hall auditorium located at 50 South Main Street. Voting is open everyday (including weekends) from 10am - 6pm.
The West Hartford Republican Town Committee urges you to vote for all of the Republican candidates for Town Council and Board of Education located on ROW B of the ballot (see the sample ballot in the article below). If all registered Republicans vote in this election, Republicans will gain seats on the Town Council!
For more information, you can visit the Town of West Hartford Registrar of Voters website by clicking this link: [EARLY VOTING]
WE-HA.COM ARTICLE: What To Know About Voting In The 2025 Municipal Election In West Hartford
WEST HARTFORD, BLOOMFIELD, HARTFORD REPUBLICAN TOWN COMMITTEES HOST LINCOLN REAGAN FUNDRAISER
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
The official program
Keynote Speaker and gubernatorial candidate, Ryan Fazio speaks to the crowd of donors
Attendees enjoy good food and conversations
Carl Donatelli accepts the West Hartford RTC Bob Farr award for lifetime achievement
GOP elephants sold for the fundraiser
West Hartford RTC Chair, Shawn Daly and Hartford RTC Chair, Dr. Sweets Wilson take a moment to share a photo together
Matt Corey, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, delivers inspirational messages to attendees
RTC member, Kyle Zelazny accepts the West Hartford RTC member of the year award from RTC Chair, Shawn Daly
Purchase a table of 10 and receive a $150 discount!!!
Sandra Bobowski accepts the Hartford RTC Person of the year award
US Congress and West Hartford municipal candidates lineup to introduce themselves to the crowd
Bloomfield RTC Chair, Dwight Bolton presents their RTC Person of the Year award to Robert Ike.
West Hartford RTC Chair, Shawn Daly and gubernatorial candidate, Ryan Fazio share a photo op
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - The West Hartford Republican Town Committee (RTC) hosted its annual Lincoln Reagan Dinner on Wednesday evening at The Pond House Café, drawing nearly 100 attendees for a night of political engagement, fundraising, and community spirit. For the first time, the event was held in partnership with the Hartford and Bloomfield RTCs, marking a regional collaboration aimed at bolstering support for local Republican candidates ahead of the November elections.
The evening began with a benediction led by Hartford RTC Chair Dr. Sweets Wilson, setting a reflective tone for the gathering. West Hartford RTC Chair Shawn Daly followed with opening remarks, invoking the biblical story of David and Goliath to emphasize the power of faith, courage, and conviction over sheer numbers. “Victory doesn’t always come from strength or numbers,” Daly said, “but from belief in our cause.”
Gubernatorial candidate Ryan Fazio delivered the keynote address, pledging to reduce energy costs and property taxes across Connecticut. He also vowed to eliminate unfunded state mandates that he said place undue burdens on municipalities. Drawing parallels to Daly’s earlier reference, Fazio recounted his own underdog victory in a state senate race, reinforcing the evening’s theme of overcoming odds.
Following Fazio’s speech, the event turned to honoring local leaders for their contributions. Dr. Sweets Wilson presented the Hartford RTC’s Person of the Year award to Sandra Bobowski. Dwight Bolton, Chair of the Bloomfield RTC, then awarded Robert Ike as Bloomfield’s Person of the Year. Liz Gillette, representing the West Hartford RTC, presented the prestigious Bob Farr Lifetime Achievement Award to Carl Donatelli. Finally, West Hartford RTC Chair Shawn Daly honored Kyle Zelazny with the West Hartford RTC Person of the Year award.
Guests enjoyed a barbecue dinner provided by The Pond House Café while hearing from several other candidates. Lieutenant Governor hopeful Matt Corey and Dr. Amy Chai, running for Congress in Connecticut’s First District, shared their visions for the state and nation. Local candidates also took the stage, including Board of Education candidate Miriam Bleich, incumbent Town Councilor Alberto Cortes, and Town Council candidates Dr. Gayle Harris, Ben Lewis, Dr. Jason Wang, and Kyle Zelazny.
Each candidate introduced themselves and outlined their platforms, focusing on education, fiscal responsibility, and community development.
The evening concluded with lively music and country line dancing, courtesy of Sunshine Entertainment, leaving attendees energized and optimistic about the upcoming election season.
WEST HARTFORD REPUBLICAN TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES MEET VOTERS AT LOX, STOCK & BAGELS
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Saturday, October 11, 2025 - Just a tremendous showing at our Coffee with Candidates event at Lox, Stock & Bagels. We had so many conversations with West Hartford voters. It was wonderful to listen to all the support and agreement with the issues we stand for - fiscal responsibility and transparency, infrastructure and public safety, improvements in education, development and zoning sensitivity, as well as reducing wasteful DEI initiatives and protecting the integrity of women’s sports and Title IX.
CANDIDATES MARCH FOR ISRAEL AT TOWN HALL
Sunday, October 5, 2025 - Our candidates went to the West Hartford Town Hall to recognize the anniversary of the 10/7 attack by Hamas and to honor and pray for a safe return of the remaining hostages.
MUNICIPAL CANDIDATES FOR WEST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL VISIT ST. THOMAS/ST. TIMOTHY’S OKTOBERFEST
Sunday, September 28, 2025 - The West Hartford Republican municipal candidates attended the St. Thomas/St. Timothy’s Oktoberfest picnic facilitated by The Knights of Columbus. Great conversations with over 200 friends, family and parishioners attended the event dining on brats, burgers, hot dogs, beer and soft drinks. It was great to connect with so many people at the event. Kudos to the Knights of Columbus for putting on another spectacular community event!
NEW BRITAIN MAYOR ERIN STEWART JOINS MARCH FOR ISRAEL WITH WEST HARTFORD REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES
Sunday, September 28, 2025 - Mayor Erin Stewart spoke in front of a crowd of participants in the West Hartford March for Israel. Mayor Stewart spoke about support, hope and strength, with the wish for the remaining hostages to be returned home.
WEST HARTFORD REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES VISIT WITH ASIAN AMERICAN VOTERS AT A DONG SUPERMARKET
Saturday, September 27, 2025 - This morning, several of the West Hartford Republican candidates for Town Council - led by Dr. Jason Wang - spent time connecting with nearly two hundred members of the Asian American community, many of whom from West Hartford, that came to A Dong Supermarket.
The conversations reflected concerns shared by residents across the town, such as:
Policies that prioritize DEI initiatives over qualified diversity.
Safety in our neighborhoods and fairness in girls’ sports.
Overdevelopment that strains our infrastructure and jeopardizes road safety.
Fiscal irresponsibility at Town Hall.
Declining standards and accountability in our schools.
West Hartford families deserve leaders who will listen, act responsibly, and put our community first. Standing alongside Dr. Wang were candidates Ben Lewis, John Lyons, and current Town Councilor Al Cortes, who is seeking re-election. Together, they are committed to restoring common sense, accountability, and balance to West Hartford.
CONNECTICUT YOUNG REPUBLICANS ENDORSE WEST HARTFORD REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES!!!
Thursday, September 17, 2025
WATCH THE “STAND FOR CHARLIE KIRK” CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AND RALLY
Sunday, September 15, 2025
September 15, 2025 - The West Hartford Republican Town Committee hosted a candlelight vigil and rally in support of the memory of Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Wednesday, September 10, during a rally at a college in Utah.
The event saw over a hundred West Hartford citizens come together in unity to “Stand Up” and celebrate the life of Charlie Kirk and his accomplishments.
WEST HARTFORD REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES HOST FOOD DRIVE AT CROWN SUPERMARKET TO SUPPORT JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES!!!
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Sunday, September 14, 2025 - West Hartford Town Council and Board of Education incumbents and candidates came together to host a food drive at the Crown Supermarket at Bishop’s Corner on Albany Avenue from 10:30am - 1:00pm to benefit the Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry at Jewish Family Services. The candidates introduced themselves to West Hartford voters and asked them to donate items such as cans of tuna, peanut butter and jelly, snacks, cookies, honey, honey cakes, olives, pasta, cereal and more. The result was a tremendous turnout with over 40 cubit feed of groceries donated.
Republican Town Council Candidates Host “Neighbors in Need” Food Drive for the West Hartford Food Pantry
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Saturday - September 6, 2025 - The candidates for Town Council, John Lyons, Kyle Zelazny, Jason Wang and Alberto Cortez, spearheaded a food drive for the West Hartford Food Bank with support from the West Hartford Republican Town Committee. The drive was held at the Farmington Avenue Stop & Shop. John Lyons noted how generous the voters of West Hartford are when given the opportunity to contribute. Jason Wang and Kyle Zelazny enjoyed meeting many residents and hearing about their concerns. The Food Bank is a community endeavor that has long been dear to Alberto Cortez’s heart with him observing that “food insecurity is not just about holidays but is a 365 day a year concern.” Later in the day over 72 cubic feet of nonperishable food was delivered to the West Hartford Food Bank by the candidates. The Town Council slate was grateful to have the opportunity to lend a hand to their fellow community members and appreciated the generosity and goodwill of the residents of West Hartford.
BREAKING NEWS: VERBAL ANTISEMITIC ATTACK ON RTC TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATE & CAMPAIGN MANAGER
Friday, August 15, 2025
Friday, August 15, 2025 - Today, one of the West Hartford RTC candidates for Town Council (Ben Lewis), and one of the West Hartford RTC candidate Campaign Managers (Ari Schaffer), were subjected to a verbal attack with rhetoric that has become far too common in West Hartford. Why anyone would think that this person's behavior and antisemitic ranting is acceptable, is beyond reason. Ben and Ari were just having a morning coffee together.
While as PROUD REPUBLICANS, we fully support a person's right to free speech, we would hope that our Democrat opponents and the West Hartford DTC would join us and also denounce this behavior. We would also hope that anyone who knows this person would pull him aside and have a strong conversation that convinces him that this behavior is the EXACT reason why support for Democrats nationwide is the lowest it's been in many decades and why Democrats are now leaving their party and joining us.
We hope that when West Hartford voters go to the polls this November, they think about how our candidates are working to change this toxic environment.
WEST HARTFORD REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR TOWN COUNCIL SPEAK AT SUPPORT OF ISRAEL MARCH
Sunday, August 10, 2025
August 10, 2025 - Four candidates running for West Hartford Town Council, (John Lyons, Dr. Jason Wang, Kyle Zelazny and Ben Lewis), participated in and was invited to speak at the weekly Support of Israel March today. John, Jason and Ben took the opportunity by microphone to address the crowd while Kyle walked the audience having intimate conversations with many of the participants at the march. Republicans continue to show their support at the local level, the state level and the national level. The candidates drew attention to changing the rapidly growing antisemitic voice that has grown all too rapidly within West Hartford, especially over the last few years. The candidates encourage all West Hartford residents to come and join the March, which begins at the library parking lot at Bishop’s corner every Sunday at 9:30am.
Dr. Jason Wang speaks to marchers
John Lyons discusses issues at the support march
Supporting Town Council candidate Ben Lewis in the background are (from left to right) - candidates John Lyons and Kyle Zelazny, as well as current Republican Board of Ed rep Ethan Goldman and candidate Dr. Jason Wang
Ben Lewis provides information to the crowd
John Lyons gets feedback from the crowd
Crowd listens to Dr. Jason Wang
Ben Lewis continues with comments of support
🚨 BREAKING: The West Hartford Republican Town Committee Proudly Endorses Our 2025 Slate of Candidates!
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
West Hartford deserves better — and this year, we’re delivering a bold, experienced, and energized team ready to restore balance, accountability, and common sense to our local government. 💪
✅ Town Council Candidates:
• Al Cortes – Incumbent and voice for fiscal sanity
• Dr. Gayle Harris – Tireless education advocate
• Kyle Zelazny – Attorney and principled policy thinker
• Ben Lewis – Local business leader and first-time candidate
• John Lyons – Civic leader, podcast host, and former Democrat
• Dr. Jason Wang – Physician, community advocate, and former Democrat
✅ Board of Education:
• Miriam Bleich – Respected child advocate and passionate parent leader
For too long, one-party rule has pushed West Hartford toward overdevelopment, rising costs, ignored infrastructure, and out-of-touch policies. This slate represents a clear alternative — grounded in real-world solutions, broad experience, and genuine community engagement.
🗣 “We’re not here for political theater — we’re here to improve schools, lower taxes, attract new businesses, and restore civil discourse,” said Chairman Shawn Daly. “The time for change is now.”
🔴 Two former Democrats. Six bold leaders. One mission: a stronger, more affordable, more responsive West Hartford.
👉 Join the movement. Learn more at www.whgop.com
📩 Questions? Reach out to: chair@whgop.com
📅 November is coming — and change starts at the local level. Let’s take West Hartford in a new direction together. 🇺🇸
#WeHaRTC #WestHartford #RealChange2025 #LocalLeadership #WHGOP #BalanceMatters #CommonSenseStartsHere
Pictured left to right: Dr. Jason Wang, Ben Lewis, Dr. Gayle Harris, Kyle Zelazny, Miriam Bleich [not shown - Al Cortes, John Lyons]
*** MEDIA ALERT ***
For Immediate Release
July 22, 2025
Contact: Shawn Daly, Chairman – West Hartford Republican Town Committee
(860) 840-7430 phone, chair@whgop.com email
West Hartford Republican Town Committee Announces Dynamic Slate of Candidates for 2025 Municipal Elections
Poised for Change: New Energy, Proven Leaders, and Real-World Solutions to Restore Balance to Town Government
West Hartford, CT – July 22, 2025 – The West Hartford Republican Town Committee (RTC) proudly announces its full slate of endorsed candidates for Town Council and the Board of Education, selected at the RTC’s official endorsement meeting on July 21 at Town Hall. This year's election brings together a standout group of candidates-fresh thinkers with bold ideas, alongside experienced leaders with a strong track record. It reflects a clear move toward practical, solution-oriented leadership and underscores the continued growth and vitality of the Republican Party in West Hartford.
The Republican slate for Town Council includes:
Al Cortes, incumbent and common-sense community voice
Dr. Gayle Harris, current Board of Education member and tireless education advocate
Kyle Zelazny, attorney and previous Board of Education candidate
Ben Lewis, local business executive and first-time candidate
John Lyons, social media civic leader and podcast host – former Democrat turned Republican supporter
Dr. Jason Wang, addiction medicine physician, Bike West Hartford Board Member and former Democrat turned Republican supporter
The RTC also endorsed Miriam Bleich, a respected advocate for children, as its representative for the Board of Education.
“For too long, one-party rule has dominated our Town Council and Board of Education,” said RTC Chairman Shawn Daly. “And while West Hartford remains a wonderful place to live, longtime residents know that under current Democratic leadership, the cost of living has soared, fiscal discipline has evaporated, community voices are ignored, infrastructure is overlooked and out of control property overdevelopment continues. The time has come to bring balance, transparency, and accountability back to town government.”
This year’s Republican ticket includes two former Democrats who, like many residents, are walking away from extreme progressive policies that are making West Hartford increasingly unaffordable and unsustainable for working families, young professionals, and retirees alike.
“Unlike our opponents, we’re not interested in stale talking points or national scare tactics,” said Daly. “Instead of distracting voters with political theater, we’re focused on real issues and solutions — improving educational outcomes, attracting new businesses, lowering taxes, and restoring civil discourse in public service.”
With early voting and Election Day approaching, the Republican candidates will be actively engaging voters in neighborhoods across West Hartford — listening to concerns, offering clear policy goals, and working to earn the trust of every resident regardless of party affiliation.
“We’re excited to have Miriam Bleich, as the tip of the spear for our Board of Education efforts,” said RTC member Ari Schaffer. “As a parent who is an advocate for children with deep knowledge of the challenges facing students today, Miriam brings expertise and compassion that will elevate the conversation and outcomes in our schools.”
The West Hartford RTC invites voters to learn more about our team, our priorities, and how to get involved by visiting www.whgop.com or contacting us at chair@whgop.com.
This November, voters face a clear choice: more of the same, or a new direction. The West Hartford Republican candidates stand ready to deliver real results.
###