May Newsletter
Message from the Chairman
Dear Bethel Democrats,
At our last Democratic Town Committee meeting, we adopted a new mission statement. The Bethel Democratic Town Committee builds an inclusive, forward thinking, and socially responsible community in Bethel. We believe this simple statement encompasses everything we strive to be for the residents of our town. This mission will be accomplished by electing Democrats for Bethel boards, commissions, and offices and supporting Democratic candidates for State and National elections.
Convention season is underway! This is the time when the State Democratic Party organizes conventions in each district to nominate our candidates for office. The 2024 Election will be here before we know it, and this process is an important part of what makes local grass roots democracy succeed. Bethel has multiple State Senate and State House districts, depending on which part of town your street lands in. If you are unsure who your State Senator or State Representative is, please use the Find Your Legislator link on the State of Connecticut website to see who currently represents you.
Our next BDTC meeting will be Thursday, May 23 at 7:00 p.m., a change in our typical schedule because of Democratic caucuses. We meet in the Senior Center Cafeteria at the Municipal Center and would love to have you join us to get involved. Also – save the date for our Bethel Democratic Town Picnic which will be held on Sunday, July 28. It’s a great opportunity to engage with those who are running for office this coming November. And, our great volunteer chefs will be cooking up delicious wood-fire roasted chicken, burgers, corn and many other wonderful treats. All are welcome!
Sincerely,
Matt Knickerbocker, BDTC Chairman
State Candidates
For all elections, Bethel is divided into 4 voting districts.
The entirety of Bethel is located in the 5th Congressional District, currently represented by Rep. Jahana Hayes who is running for a fourth term in 2024.
Bethel is currently split between two State Senate districts: the 28th State Senatorial District,which covers parts of Bethel, Easton, Fairfield and Newtown, currently represented by Sen. Tony Hwang, a Republican, who is being challenged this fall by Rob Blanchard, and the 32nd State Senatorial District, which covers part of Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Oxford, Roxbury, Southbury, Washington, Watertown, Woodbury, and parts of Bethel, Brookfield, Middlebury and Seymour, is currently represented by Sen. Eric Berthel, a Republican, who is being challenged this fall by Jeff Desmarais.
Bethel is also split between two State House districts: the 2nd State Assembly District, which covers Bethel and Danbury and is currently represented by Democrat Raghib Allie-Brennan who is running for reelection and the 107th State Assembly District, which currently represented by Republican Martin Foncello, and is being challenged this fall by Democratic candidate Aaron Zimmer.
Walk Audit in Stony Hill May 18
The Sustainable Bethel Commission is organizing a Walk Audit of STONY HILL ROAD / ROUTE 6 in Bethel to document and capture the experiences of pedestrians, cyclists and public transportation riders and to find and recommend to the town more sustainable transit oriented development options. The objective is to improve safety, ease of access to local businesses, and quality of life for Bethel residents, organizations, and businesses in the Stony Hill area. It will start at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Stony Hill Road and Old Hawleyville Road.
Follow us on Instagram!
We have a new Instagram account! Follow @bethelctdems to engage and interact with the Bethel Democratic Town Committee.