Three Democrats are running for the Board of Education.
In a normal year, party leaders would be delighted.
But this is not a normal year.
Because the Town Charter limits one political party to a bare majority — 4 seats — on the 7-member board, and because Democrats Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips are in the middle of their 4-year terms, only 2 Democrats can be elected. Jill Dillon, who won a seat 2 years ago as an unaffiliated write-in candidate, is in the middle of her term too.
In March, the Democratic Town Committee interviewed several candidates for the Board of Ed. They chose incumbent Abby Tolan, and Representative Town Meeting deputy moderator Lauren Karpf.
Abby Tolan
Dissatisfied with those choices, Democrats Stephen Shackelford and Jodi Harris — an attorney and former Staples High School PTA president, respectively — opted to run as petitioning candidates.
They secured the signatures of over 400 registered Democrats, and will appear with Tolan on the party line this fall. (Shackelford had interviewed with the DTC for a Board of Ed endorsement in March, but was not selected.)
Karpf, meanwhile, bowed out of the race. She is running again for the RTM (in a new district, after moving).
The DTC opted not to replace Karpf. That leaves Tolan as the sole party- endorsed candidate.
Shackelford and Harris say that party officials are steering clear of their campaign. They tell “06880”:
“We’re proud to be running as Democrats for the Westport Board of Education this November. We are members of the Democratic Party, but we believe our campaign for common-sense solutions and results-driven oversight on the BOE transcends partisan lines.”
However, they note, “Our most significant hurdle is coming from within our own party.
“We secured our places on the Democratic ballot line not through appointment, but by gathering more than 400 signatures each from registered Westport Democrats. This feat represents a strong, grass-roots mandate for new voices on our BOE.”
Yet, they say, “despite this clear demonstration of support from the rank-and-file, the Westport Democratic Town Committee has taken a remarkable step: It has provided us with zero support — financial, logistical, or otherwise.”
Stephen Shackelford and Jodi Harris
Even worse, Shackelford and Harris say, “the DTC appears to be actively campaigning for voters to ‘bullet vote’ only for (Tolan), despite the risk that doing so could result in Democrats winning only 1 of the 2 available spots.”
There are 4 seats up for contention, but the Democrats are limited to only 2 winning candidates. There are 5 Republicans running for 4 seats. Four were endorsed by the Republican Town Committee: incumbent Dorie Hordon, plus Andy Frankel, Michelle Hopson and Kaitlin Zucaro.
Incumbent Robert Harrington was not endorsed by the RTC. He is running as an independent write-in candidate. If the 4 Republicans win, they would take control of the BOE from the current 4 Democrats.
Shackelford and Harris say that the Democratic Town Committee is not the only political body to ignore their campaign.
“This campaign of exclusion extends to local party-affiliated groups.” the pair say.
“The Democratic Women of Westport, which we understand is meant to operate independently, has publicly promoted our opponent’s events to its members, but is refusing to include our upcoming events in its member communications.
“In short, the Democratic Party in Westport is telling its own registered voters that the grassroots effort from 2 newcomers doesn’t matter. They do not want you to hear from candidates who challenge their status quo.”
“06880” reached out to DTC chair Michelle Mechanic for comment.
She says: “The Westport Democratic Town Committee is committed to getting the most qualified Democratic candidates elected up and down the ballot, and maintaining the majority on our boards and commissions.
“With 2 spots available for Democrats on the Board of Education we urge you to vote for Abby Tolan, the vetted and endorsed candidate (whom the authors interestingly state is their opponent) and one other Democrat of your choosing.”
“06880” also asked the Democratic Women of Westport for comment. As of late last night, there was no response.
The current BOE thinks they are there to serve Scarice rather than the kids. I will not vote for any incumbents, as we need change. This story highlights how messed up the establishment is.
This too. Change is essential.
This article should surprise no one who knows either of these organizations well. As a former member of the DTC, it’s nominating committee and former board member of the DWW, my departure from both organizations is tied directly to this type of immature, cliquish behavior and in-fighting that reigns their meetings and their candidate selections. It also guides the behavior of some of their office holders, such as Abby and Lee Goldstein, who only listen to a select few, even when dozens of others helped them get to their seats in the first place. I learned from the inside it is easier to be a registered Democrat – with independent thought – on the outside. It models a common failing of the party at the national level, as well, and just like a sports team that doesn’t work together, it can and has resulted in losses. For candidates and voters. Jodi and Stephen, both vetted leaders in their own right, very much earned their place on the ballot with the support of registered Democrats in Westport who are very clearly looking for a change in their BOE representation. Their petition couldn’t be signed by anyone but Democrats. This should be a clear signal to the DTC that they are not listening to the voters their organization should be focused on finding candidates for.
IT IS QUITE CLEAR THE ACTIONS OF THE DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEE (DTC) ARE INCREASING THE CHANCES THAT THE REPUBLICANS TAKE CONTROL OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
I left the Republican Town Committee in August and I am now registered as unaffiliated. I wasn’t prepared to “tone it down” for my party. I will continue to support the best candidates, not a party color. They also disagreed with my stance on the Community Gardens, Staples Soccer coaches and were annoyed I didn’t vote to ban books.
I am running as an unaffiliated independent candidate. I am not associated with the Independent Party. I continue to support my running mate from 4 years ago and fellow board member – Dorie Hordon.
I am also supporting both Jodi and Stephen. They are excellent.
The treatment of Jodi and Stephen by the Democratic Town Committee is unfortunate. They did the hard work. They got 400 signatures from Westport Democrat voters.
They are now being excluded from Democrat party funds, party support and data. The access that the two parties have to voter data would shock Westport residents. Non-endorsed or unaffiliated candidates are at a massive disadvantage.
Is this big party dominance for the Board of Education helping to drive results?
I think a cross-party win for Jodi, Stephen, Dorie and myself would bring the most change to the Board of Education.
Individually, Jodi and Stephen bring impressive skills and experience to the table. Together, they form a powerhouse team that will strengthen the Board of Education and serve our community exceptionally well.
The lesson as always: vote for candidates and not for party. These party machinations are ridiculous and very unnecessary in a small town election. Know the position of those you vote for and leave party bias at the door.
On the ballot, voters are asked to choose four in the BOE section. Choose the three Democrats. Just check the top row.
Then, let’s work to rewrite this ridiculous town charter provision.
Members of the Democratic Party need to stand together. All three Democratic Party candidates earned their right to be on ballot as Democrats. Once that happens, it’s go time.
For the record and full disclosure, I did not support the nomination of Karpf as BOE candidate, I am grateful she bowed out when she felt the heat of competition. She chose instead to run uncontested in the nonpartisan RTM District 6 where she will sit alongside notable Republicans.
Further, much more ado should be paid to those sitting Democrats who support non Democrstic Party tickets (ie BOF Chair Lee Caney should be censured and taken off the list of Democratic officials).
Vote straight across the Democratic line on the ballot. Early voting begins Oct. 21.
Here’s the Sample Ballot. (There’s a separate ballot for every RTM District).
https://www.westportct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/114561/638950812972500000
This vote-by-party-line thinking is what congress does. Forget right or wrong, just go with your party. That’s not working well if you haven’t noticed. We need more independent thinking and voters with the courage to follow their hearts not their party.
This is a perfect example why many highly qualified people won’t run for these offices. The political party mindset is process over product.
Well, I couldn’t disagree with you more. Just go talk to the folks in Chicago. Or Portland. Or your non-English-speaking next door neighbor who lawfully immigrated or is a refugee. Or your friends who rely on affordable Healthcare. Or the military veterans who are insulted everyday by a secretary of War. Or the women who bleed out in hospital parking lots because they can’t get medical care in Small Town USA. Or the guy in the TSA line whose phone has been confiscated. See what they think about party politics.
Partisan politics now more than ever, or lose your right to choose forever. The autocracy is happening right under your apathetic nose. Dissent is being silenced. Speak up now or forever be banned from doing so.
What a terrible take Toni. While Trump should stay the hell out of Portland and Chicago, those cities do have real issues in large part because of their single (Democrat) party stranglehold. MAGA is a plague upon America and the world, but censuring Lee Caney for supporting the person he believes to be the strongest candidate is not the solution. We should all support the strongest, most qualified to lead candidates regardless of party affiliation. The most compelling candidates on this fall’s ballot will be Shackleford, Harris and Harrington for BoE and David Rosenwaks for 1st Selectman. If that doesn’t highlight the failures of local party politics, I don’t know what does.
Jonathan:
Shackelford and Harris are Dems and they have my vote, as does Tolan. Since I get another, I’ll cast my fourth vote for Harrington, who walked away from the GOP.
The campaign funding issue is a different matter and I defer to party leadership.
I am fighting the fight for Democracy at every level, everywhere, every day. The Republican Party has sold its soul and supported the likes of Stephen Miller, Russell Vaught, Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, et al. I get nauseous just writing those names.
I’m not sorry. I cannot see past the disastrous and indecent politics of today. Silence is complicit. The two party system is what we got. Restore our freedoms; only then can we talk about the veracity of a nonpartisan way of life.
Independents can most certainly also fight against Christian Nationalism in schools and school boards along with cruel behavior of leaders. It does not just have to be Democrats. I certainly am seeing Independents pushing back and opposing Facism, Authoritarianism, Cronyism, and destruction of our Democracy. I just became an independent myself fighting against these things bc the Democrat party is starting to fail me NOT fighting back against anti semitism hard enough.
Vote for whom you think is not falling in line to party over the people.
Can someone please explain why the DTC did not endorse Shackleford and Harris? Was it policy or process?
I would love to know as well!
The mission of the DTC is to endorse and run Democratic candidates for office. Our nominating committee undergoes a rigorous vetting process. After that committee recommends candidates for nomination, we hold a nomination meeting and call for nominations from the floor. Any registered Democrat can seek a nomination from the floor. Neither Mr. Shackleford or Ms. Harris sought the nomination at our annual nomination meeting. Had they done so, it is possible they could have received the DTC nomination. In sum, they chose not to engage in the process.
Thank you for responding, Michelle.
Thank you Michelle
It would be very helpful to also hear from the two candidates why they chose not to engage in the DTC process
Hi Brett, thanks for the question. I did engage in the DTC’s process. I interviewed with the DTC Nominating Committee, and after the committee nominated someone else, I was told by numerous people with far better knowledge of how all this works than me that there was zero chance of getting the DTC’s nomination for BOE from the floor, over the candidates endorsed by the nominating committee.
That’s fine, that’s how the DTC operates, no hard feelings–but it’s not the last word under our system. So I decided, along with Jodi, to see if there was enough interest in our community to secure a spot on the ballot via petition. The answer was a resounding “yes”!
But without the DTC’s resources, we still need help reaching voters. If you’ve read this far, and you want to hear more about Jodi and me, please reach out via email (harris.shackelford@gmail.com), or visit our website (harrisshackelford25.com), where you can also sign up for our email list, request a yard sign, donate to our campaign, and more.
I’ve lived in Westport for 20 years, and I’ve never seen the DTC choose not to recommend a full slate of Board of Education candidates in an election. They still could—but are choosing not to. It looks like the DTC is choosing not to engage too.
Given that the DTC has decided not to take a position, I would be very grateful to the Westport electorate if you would write in my name—Robert Harrington—and fill in the bubble to re-elect me.
Please don’t waste your vote.
I’m concerned that the DTC’s actions could unintentionally result in a Republican majority on the Board of Education.
Why are there political party affiliations in local elections? It muddy’s the water because too many people vote along “party” lines, which while interesting at the State and National level I guess matter, but locally who really cares?
I think party affiliations do matter when we have one party supporting such vast and unprecedented change. Anyone who thinks rule by fiat is cool is not someone I want anyone near the levers of power, even at a local level.
Wow “Brenda.” Bless your ‘lil heart. It’s been awhile. Why are you afraid to put your name to your insults. And why does Adam Woog allow your continual masked kvetching.
I wish you every bitter, resentful, sad consequence of our current political condition.
For those of you unaware of “Brenda,” this is a masked coward who has trolled me for years under various nom de plumes on Dan’s blog, where commenters are never vetted beyond having an email.
FYI, Dan (Adam?) has done incalculable vetting over the years.
Just because he doesn’t always do it 365/24/7 simply proves he is human, with a life.
I’m Dan’s biggest fan. He knows what I think of the vetting of this particular troll.
I agree with the above comment that party affiliation at the BOE level at least is a mixed blessing. Despite the repeated efforts of some to make this about Democrat vs Republicans, the issues we should be discussing to improve our schools such as those raised in Dan’s weekly “where we stand” column are not D or R issues. Academic excellence, ensuring curriculum keeps pace and prepares our kids, supporting athletic and extracurricular programs, transparent budgeting, supporting students with special ed. needs – no political party should have a lock on any of those issues and party affiliation should be irrelevant.
On the other hand everyone can see when BOE members simply fall in line with the majority. I am not sure what the reference above to “vast and unprecedented change” is supposed to refer to, but if it means providing more oversight and guidance to the administration, transparency, and getting things done to help improve our schools, count me in. For more information on our positions follow us on FB or talk to us in town. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580849112076
I believe it is difficult for Republican BOE candidates to distance themselves from the policies of the national GOP and the attacks on higher education by their President. Every local Republican candidate should state their positions regarding those national policies.
That said, this is less an issue of Republican vs Democrat and more an issue of Town Committees vs their constituents.
With respect to Ms Mechanic’s comments, the DTC’s “vigorous vetting process” has led to three consecutive losses in BOS races. And the concern from the DTC about this year’s BOS race is hard to miss.
I’ve watched DTC endorsed elected officials practice cronyism and behave in ways that completely contradict what I think of as Democratic Party values. I don’t expect Republicans to act any better, but I do expect Democrats to.
The mentality seems to be, “we’ll do what we want, because our constituents will vote for us anyway.” Well, with petitioning candidates on the ballot, they can’t take their constituents for granted. And now they are worried? The time to worry about keeping the support of your constituents is when you have the opportunity to listen to them.
In the BOE race, I am voting for Robert Harrington, Stephen Shackleford, and Jodi Harris. I’ll leave the fourth blank, as I can’t vote for Abby Tolan, who I believe will simply be a proxy for the current BOE Chair. I know I am walking a fine line, but I hope that the GOP remains in a minority on the BOE, but I also hope that candidates who aren’t beholden to the DTC will support a change in BOE leadership.
David:
I was told by a former town official that the five boards and commissions (Board of Finance, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Commission, The Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Assessment Appeals) were changed in the 1960’s or 70’s to elected members by political party. There were a number of a reasons. One was that prior to then there were still large-tracts of undeveloped land in Westport. The boards were then appointed by the first selectman and there was a question of whether certain people were being given preferential treatment. Because of multiple concerns there was a charter revision and the boards became elected bodies. Election by political party assure that the residents of the town choose those people that they want to represent the town
Thanks for the history! I still think at the town level it’s an unneeded complication and distraction.
Too many residents blindly vote along party lines. They’ll claim that they don’t and then give you one example in the past decade. I left the Republican Party in 2016, but don’t need locals who are trying to address local issues to answer for Trump because they’re Red and not Blue.
Who honestly cares. Westport needs non partisan local leadership, it’s been one debacle after another, pick the right humans, not your preferred party.
US Senator Chris Murphy was in Westport this morning and made the following point: local political action/victory is needed to trickle up to support efforts and fortify democratic principles at the state and national levels, and vice versa. Maybe not always, but especially now.
That’s complete and utter bullshit. No one cares. Be honest. Protest on the bridge all you want and everyone laughs at a bunch of entitled white liberals.
The locals would be better served by independent candidates with pure intentions, not some national party nonsense.