Republicans Select Bob Imperato for State Rep

Robert Imperato, a Republican seeking the State Representative seat in Branford’s 102nd District, said his message ​“unifies us, rather than divides us.”

Imperato was unanimously nominated by Branford’s Republican Town Committee (RTC) and other registered Republicans at the caucus Tuesday evening. No other Republicans have expressed interest in the seat, but three Democrats are vying for nomination at the Democratic Town Committee (DTC) caucus May 29.

In other business, Ray Ingraham was re-elected chair of the RTC. He also serves as majority leader of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).

The seat will be vacated by Lonnie Reed, who has served as Branford’s State Rep for ten years. She recently announced she will not seek a sixth term. Click here to read the story.

Imperato jokingly thanked Reed for not running this year. ​“But I really want to thank Lonnie for her service to the people of Branford. She has served us well and deserves our thanks,” he said.

About 40 people attended the caucus, which was held at the Sonar Roof of Donovan’s Reef Restaurant, 1212 Main St.

One Message

“I’ve spent my life committed to my family and this community,” Imperato said as he accepted the nomination.

“I will go Hartford and give the hard-working people of Branford a clear, strong voice,” he said. ​“The most important promise I will make to you as your state representative is that the values that we share will be put above parties and special-interest groups, no matter what,” he said

Imperato has spent 40 years in the banking and financial business, and is currently serving on the town’s Board of Finance (BOF). He hopes to take those skills to Hartford.

“I believe I am the right person for the job because I have spent my career in dealing with financial issues. And if you haven’t noticed, Connecticut has a financial problem,” he told the crowd.

“If you want someone with a career in finance who understands balancing budgets, who supports the fact that people should keep more, not less, of what they worked hard to earn, then I am most certainly that individual,” he said.

“That’s my message for the voters in Branford, it’s not a Republican message or a Democrat message. Nor an Independent message or a special-interest message or slogan. It’s a message that unifies us, rather than divides us. I will take this message to every part of town and I will talk about it on every doorstep. I will work hard, I will be honest and I will put people before politics, because that’s what Branford is all about.”

Imperato was nominated by Kyle Nelson, who serves on the Board of Ethics.

“I believe Robert has the personal demeanor, respect, knowledge and background that uniquely qualifies him for the position, and will resonate with the electorate,” Nelson said. He acknowledged Imperato’s service with the Board of Finance (BOF), the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and the Water Pollution Control Authority.

“In each of these roles, he has gained a tremendous understanding of how our government operates, including all aspects of budgeting, appropriating and capital expenditures and taxes,” Nelson said, adding that these traits will serve him well in Hartford. ​“Robert’s municipal knowledge will benefit the Branford community.”

Lori Nicholson, who ran against Reed in 2012, seconded the nomination. ​“I support Bob because he respects women and he understands the issues that face 21st century women,” she said.

“He is the kind of person who will take each and every citizen’s concerns and make them his own,” Nicholson said.

Following the caucus, Imperato told the Eagle that he never envisioned running for state office, but his involvement with the RTM and the BOF led him to realize he could more fully serve the community at the state level.

“We’ll start campaigning tomorrow,” Imperato told the Eagle. ​“I will go to every part of town and every doorstep,” he said.

Registrar of Voters

The RTC also endorsed incumbent Marion Burkard as a candidate for registrar of voters. First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove nominated Burkard, citing her ​“keen attention to detail and highest level of integrity.”

Burkard, who has served many years as Republican registrar, was unanimously nominated. ​“I feel very dedicated to this job,” she said as she accepted the nomination.

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