Westport is a Democratic town (8,452 registered voters as of October 31, 2024). There are 7,875 unaffiliated voters, and 3,555 Republicans.
The chairs of all major boards are Democrats. But First Selectwoman Jen Tooker is a Republican.
For a while, some Westporters have asked where she stood on national issues.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, at a recent Sunrise Rotary meeting.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, and afterward, they felt it was important to know if the town’s chief executive shared some or all of President Trump’s stands and values.
Others argued that national issues have no bearing on local affairs. They were not bothered by her silence.
But as Tooker steps onto the statewide stage — after announcing her candidacy for governor on Monday — questions about her national political views will intensify.
Westport resident Scott Smith wants to hear from Tooker. He writes:
Like many Westporters, I’m alarmed by the torrent of dubious policy decisions and dodgy governing practices being rushed into action by the new administration.
I know where I personally stand on these issues, and what my core values are. But what I don’t know is where we, as a community, stand as this national debate, if not crisis, unfolds.
I sent the letter below to First Selectwoman Tooker on February 26. She has not yet replied.
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First Selectwoman Tooker,
I’m proud that Westport is a community of engaged citizens able and willing to lend their diverse voices to contribute to the greater good. In this moment of national debate, if not outright crisis, your silence on political, ethical and moral issues that affect us all strikes me as a lack of transparency, at best.
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing,” said Edmund Burke, speaking in the language of his time.
The second Trump administration has polarized the nation even more than before. (Photo/Spencer Platt)
I know where I and many other Westporters stand on these public matters, and it’s time for us to hear what specific views you, as our duly elected first selectwoman, hold regarding issues that are important to us all, regardless of political persuasion. Among them:
- With Westport’s collective support of our Ukrainian sister city of Lyman in mind, what is your response to President Trump’s refusal to acknowledge that Russia invaded a neighboring sovereign country and has, in fact, committed atrocities against its innocent civilians?
- If ICE agents come to Westport to detain suspected undocumented immigrants, how will you instruct Westport police officers to participate in those actions?
- Would you allow a “special advisor” to your administration access to sensitive town databases of both public and private records? What is your opinion of Elon Musk’s infiltration of federal agencies and DOGE’s attempt to fire employees without due process?
- What is your response to President Trump’s recent declaration, “I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza” and that the Palestinians should resettle “permanently” in “nice homes” somewhere else?
- As the head of a municipality with many foreign-born residents, what is your view of President Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship through an executive order and his recent claim at CPAC that this right, afforded by the 14th Amendment, was intended only for “children of slaves”?
- Do you stand by Westport’s 2021 Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity? If so, how do you rebut the current Republican Administration’s wholesale efforts to end such established DEI practices and policies?
Simply put, silence is complicity. As citizens of a local representative democracy, Westporters deserve to know where our elected leaders stand on these troubling topics and other impactful issues.
Will you speak publicly to these matters and will you allow your constituents the opportunity to engage with you about them in an open public forum?
Thank you for your prompt reply to this letter from a concerned citizen.
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Now, in light of Tooker’s announcement of her candidacy for governor, I think it’s even more important to know where our elected officials stand not just on local civic issues, but on ethical, moral and national political matters that affect us all — and for those leaders to be willing to engage with the community to figure out how we as Westporters can meet the world at this crucial moment.
Tooker’s announcement refers to her as “a champion for fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and government accountability.” I would like to know how she would address the specific questions raised in the letter not only as Westport’s highest-ranking elected official, but now also in the context of her run for governor.
