An Open Letter from the Chair

As I close out my third year as Chair of the Stratford Democratic Town Committee, I want to reflect on what I said the night I accepted this role back in June 2022:

The job of the Chair is to win elections.

Of course, that barely scratches the surface. What does a chair really do? I facilitate change. I anticipate and resolve problems. I engage, encourage, and empower people to pursue their goals while keeping our committee, campaigns, and community moving forward.

But none of that happens without you.

From the start, I’ve wanted to understand what matters to each of you: why you joined this committee, what motivates you to show up, speak out, and serve. I promised to invest in you and your goals. That promise stands. And the results are clear: the Stratford Democrats are gaining ground.

In the 2024 state legislative cycle, we ran five candidates, and the Stratford Dems delivered!

Our town spans three State House districts (120th, 121st, and 122nd) and two Senate districts (21st and 23rd). For the November elections, four strong Democrats stepped forward: Councilor Kaitlyn Shake (HD-120), State Representative Joe Gresko (HD-121), Dottie Lerner (HD-122), and State Senator Herron Gaston (SD-23). We focused our efforts on flipping HD-120 back to blue and building momentum in the 122nd, an area that has lacked meaningful Democratic infrastructure for years.

Then came a surprise opportunity: a Special Election in the 21st Senate District. Councilor Anthony Afriyie stepped up, launching a sprint campaign in the dead of winter.

Five races. Five incredible candidates.

Two cruised to re-election. One flipped a Republican-held seat by more than 1,000 votes. And in the two races we didn’t win? We won Stratford. In November, we won the two local districts. In February’s special election, we won all ten. That’s how movements grow.

Our candidates worked tirelessly, but candidates can’t do it alone. Elections are won by volunteers, and Stratford showed up. More than a hundred people knocked doors, made calls, talked to neighbors, wrote postcards, stuffed envelopes, and dropped lit. Some were long-time activists. Others were brand new – driven by a cause, a candidate, or a desire to do something meaningful in uncertain times. And more than any time in memory, they came in droves from regions across the state. We even had volunteers calling from Long Island, New Jersey, and Montreal, Canada!

In 2024, we also established a campaign headquarters with an ideal location: central, visible, with great parking and space for organizing. It quickly became a hub of activity and connection. We’ve already secured it again for our 2025 municipal races, where we’re building a full slate of candidates to challenge the mayor’s office and majorities in governing bodies.

All of this local energy is happening against a national backdrop that’s hard to ignore. Washington is chaotic, and the threats to democracy feel close to home.

That’s why Democratic Town Committees like ours matter so deeply. We are the defenders of democracy at the local level, the ones showing up, staying informed, and standing up for our values.

Christine Palm presenting Resisting Tyranny to the Stratford DTC and community members in April

That’s why we invited former State Representative Christine Palm to present “Resisting Tyranny: How to stay sane and make a difference in a dark time.” That’s why we prioritize civic engagement, encourage our members to attend public meetings, ask hard questions, and stay connected to our state delegation. We believe in building a town, and a state, that reflects the best of who we are.

And that’s why on Saturday we’ll gather for our Annual Awards Banquet to honor the outstanding volunteers who make this work possible.

Thank you for being part of it.

In solidarity,

Kathleen Callahan

Chair, Stratford Democrats